Violation of constitution by President can not be left without reaction - Ruling party official
He also criticised “radical” domestic opposition for “covering up the person who violated the constitution”, noting their statements which alleged that “impeachment procedure was initiated because the President wanted to support European Union candidate membership status for Georgia” was “built on a false narrative”. Photo via Georgian Dream press office
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Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Saturday said violation of the Georgian constitution by the country’s President Salome Zourabichvili, the “person who should be the main guarantor of the constitution”, could not be left without a reaction.
In his comments to the media, Mdinaradze noted that the ruling party’s reaction was to initiate an impeachment procedure against the President, stressing that it was “unfortunate” that the violation of constitution by Zourabichvili would “remain in history”.
He also criticised “radical” domestic opposition for “covering up the person who violated the constitution”, noting their statements which alleged that “impeachment procedure was initiated because the President wanted to support European Union candidate membership status for Georgia” was “built on a false narrative”.
Mdinaradze said it was “unbelievable” to assume that Zourabichvili was meeting European leaders to garner support for Georgia to be granted the EU membership candidate status, as in her previous statements, the President had said that Georgia did not deserve the candidate status last year and alleged that the recommendations, outlined by the EU for granting it candidate membership status to the country, were being “formally fulfilled”.
No matter what the goal is, the violation of the Georgian Constitution should never be used as a means”, he added.
As Mdinaradze noted, the majority of the opposition had "clearly demonstrated" their support for Zourabichvili, which made mobilising 100 votes, required for the impeachment procedure to proceed, "practically impossible”.
He also said If negotiations between the President and the opposition begin around pardoning imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili it will “expose the truth” that Zourabichvili was “blackmailed” by the radicals that if she does not use her constitutional right to pardon Saakashvili the United National Movement will support her impeachment.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Friday said the Political Council of the party had decided to initiate an impeachment procedure against President Salome Zourabichvili over her “gross violation” of the constitution through her departure on an official visit abroad without the Government’s authorisation.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday highlighted “the need to respect” the country’s constitution in what he called its “clear violation” by President Salome Zourabichvili through her departure on an official visit abroad without the Government’s authorisation.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday accused the country’s President Salome Zourabichvili of “gross violation” of the constitution through her departure on an official visit abroad without Government authorisation.
The Georgian Government Administration on Wednesday highlighted the country’s constitution designated its foreign policy conduct to the Government, after it rejected requests by the office of President Salome Zourabichvili for approving her visits to a number of countries.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday said the decision of the ruling Georgian Dream party to initiate an impeachment procedure against President Salome Zourabichvili over her alleged violation of the constitution through her departure on an official visit abroad without the Government’s authorisation was “completely justified”.
The work for gaining the European Union membership candidate status for Georgia, the country’s future and regional matters were discussed on Wednesday in a meeting between the Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Thursday said the series of foreign visits to European cities aimed to fulfil her “highest and foremost” obligation as President - to promote the country's European integration.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday said the decision of the ruling Georgian Dream party to launch impeachment proceedings against President Salome Zourabichvili this week over her alleged violation of the constitution through her departure on an official visit abroad without the Government’s authorisation was “not a political issue”.