The six-storey-tall glass bubble of Georgia's parliament building, opened in 2012, rises 4km west of the city centre, reachable by bus 4, 38 or 100 from the city centre (west end of Paliashvili). Controversial from the moment a WWII memorial was blown up in 2009 to make way for it, the parliament is unpopular with many MPs, who would like to move parliament back to Tbilisi.
A brainchild of the Saakashvili government, intended to decentralise power from Tbilisi and boost economically depressed Kutaisi, the building has been criticised for its distance from the executive arms of government (still in Tbilisi), and for the expense of building and operating it.
Free one-hour tours inside the building are given at noon, 3pm and 5pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in weeks of plenary sittings. If you'd like to visit, telephone or email at least a couple of days ahead to check schedules and admission procedures, request (if you want) an English-speaking guide, and register your passport details.
