Apparently “financial amnesty” represents neither a strategic approach nor a conceptual vision of the government. Its aim more likely is to decide the fate of officials and businessmen comprising Eduard Shevardnadze’s circle – whom to place in jails, and who is to be forgiven and retain their prestigious position in society. This is not so easy: the proteges of the former government possess “patrons” in the new one as well. Hence it is quite difficult to “book” them, or, more precisely – to determine the “direction.”

Members of the parliamentary majority have openly expressed discontent over the fact that the government does not want to consider their remarks and suggestions in regards to “financial amnesty.” Maia Nadiradze, leader of the ruling faction, openly states that parliament will not begin reviewing the bill until the majority’s opinions are shared.

MP Giga Bokeria, deputy head of the Legal Affairs Committee of the Georgian parliament, was even more forceful and presented the government with an ultimatum. “It would be good if we merged our viewpoints. Otherwise, the Legal Affairs Committee will present an alternative bill.”

Nino Burjanadze, the parliamentary chairperson, also did not abstain from making critical remarks regarding the government. Burjanadze openly criticized the executive branch because the bill on Financial Amnesty was returned to parliament intact and remarks voiced at a faction sitting had not been taken into account.

“If someone in the government thinks that whatever they present before parliament will quietly pass unchanged he is seriously mistaken. If the government wants this bill to fail then parliament will also have arguments as to why this has happened,” Burjanadze said, advising the executive branch to show more prudence.

While parliament and the government play “ping-pong” with draft laws, Zurab Tkemaladze, one of the leaders of the Rightist opposition, loses his patience. According to Tkemaladze, before parliament adopts the bill controlling organs “do not lose time in vain” and “racket” entrepreneurs. As for Valeri Gelbakhiani, single mandate MP of the Sachkhere district, he calls upon MPs to cease discussing the bill entirely as “whatever decision parliament takes will bring about discontent among the public.”

It is also noteworthy that some bills cannot cover the distance from committees to plenary sessions. Wednesday’s agenda included beginning discussions on the Higher Education bill, but because of a clerical error the MPs had been given old version of the bill. Despite the request of Kakha Lomaia, Minister of Education and Science, the hearing was postponed.

The procrastination of discussions on important draft laws places the supreme legislative body in a “zeitnot.” Therefore, Burjanadze does not rule out that extraordinary sessions might be held next week.

That parliament cannot work in a timely manner is the MPs’ fault. The gathering of the quorum and the timely commencement of sessions was quite difficult so far, but following the celebration of the Giorgoba holiday and the anniversary of the Rose Revoluton it will become even harder for the MPs to get up early; Wednesday’s plenary session started at 01:00 a.m.

“That several MPs cannot manage to wake up early must not hinder parliament’s work,” stated Burjanadze.

Maia Nadiradze, leader of the parliamentary majority, does not feel guilty that members of the ruling faction do not show up at parliament.

“I cannot memorize the schedules for 130 MPs, and at the same time I have only one vote,” she said.

In her turn, Chair Burjanadze stressed that she “does not want to hear remarks because of some members of the majority.”