Irakli Kobakhidze on the hearing regarding the petition to ban political parties: The court decides on the attendance of specific individuals—that is their prerogative Parliament.

"The court itself decides on the attendance of specific individuals; that is their prerogative. I cannot comment on that," Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated in response to a request by the third President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, to be brought to the Constitutional Court in Batumi, where the hearing on the petition to ban political parties is set to begin.

When asked who would be presenting the petition at the Constitutional Court, Kobakhidze replied that it would likely be the Parliament, given that the petition bears the signatures of Members of Parliament.

"As for the parties filing the claim, the individuals presenting it will likely be representatives of the Parliament, given that the claim was submitted to the Constitutional Court bearing the signatures of Members of Parliament. We will inform you later as to who, specifically, will act as the representative," stated Kobakhidze.

When asked about his expectations regarding the Court—or whether it is possible that the claim might be only partially granted—Kobakhidze responded:

"I cannot say. Naturally, our wish is for the claim to be granted to the fullest extent possible; the rest is for the Constitutional Court to decide. When a party files a claim with the Court, it is in their interest for it to be granted in full, and that is how we will defend our position. Beyond that, it rests entirely with the Constitutional Court," said Kobakhidze.