Georgian PM: President “chose to descend to destructive opposition level”, instead of “openly” supporting Gov’t in EU integration process
Garibashvili said he had discussed this matter with his European colleagues, who had understood the necessity of initiating impeachment, noting the Government had to react to the President’s “direct demonstrative action” of “deliberately violating the country’s Constitution”. Photo via Government Administration
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday said that the country’s President Salome Zourabichvili “has chosen to descend to the level of destructive opposition”, instead of “openly” supporting the Government in the European integration process.
In his comments to the media, Garibashvili told the journalists that the President “was repeating” the radical opposition’s narrative, citing Zourabichvili’s statements, in which she said that the country “did not deserve the European Union membership candidate status” and alleged that the Government “has not been fulfilling the recommendations” outlined by the bloc for granting the status to the country.
Commenting on the ongoing impeachment procedures against Zourabichvili, initiated by the ruling Georgian Dream party, Garibashvili stressed it was “unpleasant” that the ruling team was “forced to take this step”.
The country has much more problems to solve than such an unjustified situation and relations between the President and the Government. But there were no other options left by Zourabichvili who demonstratively and purposefully violated the Constitution”, the PM said, adding it was “an intended provocation” during the process of waiting for candidate status.
Garibashvili said he had discussed this matter with his European colleagues, who had understood the necessity of initiating impeachment, noting the Government had to react to the President’s “direct demonstrative action” of “deliberately violating the country’s Constitution”.
No one in the country is above the law - neither the President, nor the PM, nor the Parliament, or anyone else”, the Head of the Government noted.
He expressed hope the President would realise that the country “has much more important issues” to deal with and added he would “gratefully welcome her [Zourabichvili’s] efforts” if she became the Government’s “supporter” in the European integration process.