Georgian PM says President Zourabichvili’s participation in partisan gathering represents another constitutional violation

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said that Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, according to the Constitution, must remain non-partisan, and further added that her participation in a partisan gathering in Tbilisi on Sunday was “another disregard for the Constitution”, which he described as characteristic of her behaviour.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze noted that Zourabichvili’s undiplomatic statement created discomfort for the European Union Ambassador.

He emphasised that Zourabichvili had no capacity to influence the outcome of the elections.

“Zourabichvili must be non-partisan under the Constitution. Her participation in a party gathering is yet another constitutional violation, which is typical of her. Fortunately, she lacks the resources to impact the election results”, he claimed.

“The radical opposition, the collective United National Movement, effectively ended their election campaign a week before the elections. If you divide 100,000 by approximately six or seven, you’ll get the real figure [of the opposition’s support]. The radical opposition parties were previously conducting their campaigns wisely, either avoiding such gatherings or setting up chairs, which was a smart, pragmatic decision. With chairs, you can have 2,500 people and make it appear as though there are 15,000. In Zugdidi, we had about the same number of people gathered in a single region as the entire radical opposition, along with their NGOs, managed to gather in Tbilisi”, he said and added that “everyone will soon witness the strength of the Georgian Dream and the level of its support”.

The Prime Minister further clarified that no Ambassador had the authority to endorse acts such as early elections or a technical Government, as it did not fall within their prerogative.

Kobakhidze also commented on the President’s impeachment process.

“Impeachment is largely symbolic, as Zourabichvili's term would have ended by December. However, it is crucial that a person who violates the Constitution and betrays the country does not leave the office without consequences. Through impeachment, she will be officially branded a traitor”, he noted.

Kobakhidze continued that the parliamentary system limited Zourabichvili’s power, and discussions about the next president would take place after the elections.