President “exchanged legitimacy” of voters for “legitimacy of opposition” - Parliament Speaker
The Speaker alleged that “starting from yesterday, we have a President elected by UNM”. Photo: Shalva Papuashvili’s press office
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Shalva Papuashvili, the Georgian Parliament Speaker, on Thursday reacted to the developments related to President Salome Zourabichvili’s impeachment by claiming she had “exchanged the legitimacy of 1.2 million voters for the legitimacy of several members of the United National Movement”.
Papuashvili was responding to the ruling by the country’s Constitutional Court on Monday, which confirmed the President had violated the Constitution by her recent foreign visits without the Government's approval, and a subsequent failed impeachment vote in the legislative body on Wednesday.
In his comments, the Speaker alleged that “starting from yesterday, we have a President elected by UNM” in comments on the failure of the ruling party to gain enough votes for successful impeachment at the Parliament without the opposition.
The official claimed “respect for the country”, including by its foreign partners, meant “respect of its Constitution and laws”, and added the President had attempted to “undermine” the country’s Constitutional order through her unauthorised actions.
The President is undermining the Government, [and] trying to usurp its powers. She is undermining the Parliament with her refusal to answer lawmakers’ questions”, he said in reference to Zourabichvili declining questions by MPs during the impeachment vote.
“She is undermining the National Bank of Georgia when demanding the resignation of its [acting] President. She is also undermining the Constitutional Court and the Public Defender ‘s office [through her critical comments]”, Papuashvili added.
The ruling party’s impeachment of Zourabichvili failed on Wednesday after 86 MPs voted for her dismissal instead of the mandatory 100.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday said he “did not rule out” that Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili could “grossly violate” the Constitution again in the future after the ruling party earlier today fell short of votes for President’s impeachment in the Parliament.
The ruling Georgian Dream party on Wednesday fell short of votes for President Salome Zourabichvili’s impeachment in the Parliament after 86 MPs voted for her dismissal instead of the mandatory 100.
The United National Movement and the Strategy Agmashenebeli opposition parties on Wednesday boycotted an impeachment session at the Georgian Parliament against President Salome Zourabichvili, as the ruling Georgian Dream party alleged an “alliance” between the President and “radical” domestic opposition groups.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Tuesday responded to the ruling by the country’s Constitutional Court the previous day, which backed President Salome Zourabichvili’s impeachment for the violation of Constitution through her unauthorised foreign trips by saying “time of presidents in this country thinking they stand above the law is over”.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Sunday said the Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili “only nominally” represented her position after the voting on her impeachment at the Parliament following the Constitutional Court’s ruling that she had violated the Constitution through holding foreign visits without the Government’s authorisation.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday claimed the party had been “informed” about plans involving President Salome Zourabichvili, former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and former Public Defender Nino Lomjaria forming a party for balloting in the 2024 Parliamentary Elections in the country.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Wednesday said he wanted to “reassure everyone” that despite the internal and external enemies and sabotage, Georgia would receive the European Union candidate membership status.