The Decree Power of the Georgian Presidency
Under the Georgian Constitution, the President holds the authority to issue normative acts — decrees (brdzanebuleba) and orders (gankargulebani) — within the scope of presidential competences. During Giorgi Margvelashvili's administration (2013–2018), these instruments were used to exercise authority in areas including national defense, diplomatic appointments, honors and awards, and the activation of constitutional prerogatives.
Categories of Presidential Decrees
Presidential decrees issued during the Margvelashvili administration can be broadly grouped into the following categories:
| Category | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Diplomatic Appointments | Appointment and accreditation of ambassadors and diplomatic representatives | Appointment of ambassadors to EU member states, US, NATO partners |
| Military & Security | Orders relating to the Georgian Armed Forces and national security | Senior military appointments, defense council directives |
| State Honors & Awards | Conferral of Georgian state orders, medals, and honorary citizenship | Order of Honor, Order of Excellence, honorary citizenship grants |
| Pardons | Exercise of the presidential pardon power | Periodic pardon decrees following review by the Pardon Commission |
| Constitutional Acts | Formal acts exercising constitutional prerogatives | Vetoes returned to Parliament, promulgation of legislation |
Notable Decree Actions
Diplomatic Appointments (2013–2014)
In the early months of the presidency, a significant tranche of decrees addressed the diplomatic service — appointing Georgian ambassadors to key partner countries and international organizations. These appointments reflected the administration's foreign policy priorities, with particular emphasis on European capitals and Washington.
State of Emergency Authorities
The President retained constitutional authority to declare a state of emergency or martial law, subject to parliamentary approval. While these powers were not invoked during Margvelashvili's term, associated preparedness decrees were periodically updated in consultation with the National Security Council.
Pardon Commissions
President Margvelashvili was notably active in his use of the pardon power, periodically reviewing cases through the Presidential Pardon Commission. Pardons were granted on humanitarian grounds, including cases involving serious illness, age, and other mitigating circumstances, following formal review procedures.
Transparency and the Decree Archive
Presidential decrees issued under the Margvelashvili administration were published in Georgia's Legislative Herald (sakanonmdeblo macne), the official gazette of record. This publication ensured public access to normative acts, consistent with the administration's stated commitment to transparent governance.
This archive serves as a reference resource for researchers, legal scholars, and citizens seeking to understand the exercise of executive authority during the 2013–2018 presidential term.