Debate Surrounds Georgia’s Local Government Reform

Six weeks after Georgia's local elections, town and village councils are struggling to adapt to responsibilities and powers outlined under a new law on self-government. Officials have praised the law as a fresh start for decentralization, but some observers question whether Tbilisi is truly committed to relinquishing political power to local governments.

Before Georgia's October 5 local elections, some 1,000 local councils existed in villages and towns throughout the country. They depended on Tbilisi for both policy agendas and revenues. With the vote, however, that all changed. Under the Law on Self-Governance, the number of local councils decreased to 69 so-called "self-government bodies," which would, in theory, manage their own affairs and budget.

Vano Khukhunaishvili, the deputy chairman of parliament's regional policy, self-government and mountainous regions committee, argues that the law represents a presidential initiative to "create a real self-government without the interference of the central government."

However, local government analysts like Davit Melua, executive director of the National Association of Local Self-Government Units of Georgia (NALA), question if the government is fully committed to decentralization. According to Melua, while the new law is an improvement over the previous structure, it does not go far enough.

"I do not believe that our central government is ready to promote real decentralization here," Melua said. "In general, yes, our politicians believe in decentralization