MP Davit Matikashvili: Core tenet of democracy is that state security relies on a well-functioning system, not personalities

“The foundational principle of a democracy is that national security depends not on individual figures, but on a well-ordered, effective system,” declared MP Davit Matikashvili, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Procedural Issues and Rules, while commenting on Geka Geladze’s resignation as Head of the State Security Service (SSGS).

Matikashvili emphasised that the agency operates seamlessly and remains unaffected by personnel transitions.

“If we are evaluating how personnel changes affect state institutions, we must proceed from results: how the agency actually functions; if the agency operates seamlessly under whichever individual happens to lead it, that demonstrates that the system works properly and is not dependent on personalities. Therefore, if a specific individual has decided to step down, that is his own decision.

We must judge based on the quality of the agency’s performance. Raising such questions might be relevant if personnel turnover produces negative effects and the agency can no longer fulfil its duties. However, the agency is sound, the system is working, and state institutions are functioning. That is the primary premise of democracy: that the security of the state relies not on personalities, but on an established, well-functioning system,” Matikashvili stated.