President Zurabishvili, opposition leaders discuss ‘political justice’ following her calls for ‘national agreement’

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has met with MPs Khatia Dekanoidze from the United National Movement (UNM) and Salome Samadashvili from Lelo for Georgia faction earlier today, where the ongoing issues in the country were discussed, including ‘political justice.’

Dekanoidze stated that during their first meeting, they listened to each other and exchanged thoughts, noting that Zurabishvili intends to meet other opposition leaders as well. 

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Former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili, who is currently undergoing treatment in Gori Military Hospital, was also on the agenda of the meeting.

I told her [Zurabishvili] that [Saakashvili’s imprisonment] is the most difficult reality, creating an obstacle for the Euroatlantic future, while the region is in the most difficult situation from a geopolitical point of view,” Dekanoidze said.

Samadashvili for her part also emphasised that they talked about politically motivated cases in the country, adding that they also discussed external threats Georgia faces, noting that ‘we have the worst situation’ in the country.

At this stage, we are making an intellectual effort to create a process that will really be a solution for this country,” stated Samadashvili regarding the meeting with Zurabishvili.

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She also introduced the new initiative of Lelo to President Zurabishvili of creating a ‘powerful national platform’ to ensure the presence of the US military in Georgia, a rapid signing of a free trade agreement with the US, and the adoption of a lustration law to reveal enemy spies in the public service.

I very much hope that this resolution will have the support of all political parties, because the concrete expression that we can agree on something is such a big step,” said Samadashvili.  

President Zurabishvili initiated an ‘inclusive process and a national conversation involving all of society in order to ‘achieve a shared understanding of recent history, to help heal divisions and move forward’ on December 10 at the Summit for Democracy organised by US President Joe Biden, while on December 16 she hosted both the ruling party and opposition leaders at a New Year reception where she called for 'national agreement.’