Parliament Speaker hails late former official Zurab Zhvania's leadership - “beginnings of new Georgian democracy”

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Saturday said the beginnings of the new Georgian democracy had been formed during the leadership of late former Prime Minister and Parliament Speaker Zurab Zhvania.

In his speech at the event dedicated to Zhvania’s 60th birthday anniversary, where the late official was posthumously awarded the Parliamentary Order of Freedom, Papuashvili highlighted Zhvania’s “great contribution” to the formation of the parliament, parliamentarism, politics, and the state “in a very short time”.

Late former PM Zurab Zhvania was posthumously awarded the Parliamentary Order of Freedom. Photo via Parliament of Georgia

Papuashvili highlighted the “significant role” of the late official during “challenging times” in post-Soviet Georgia, noting Zhvania, “a central figure” in Georgian politics, had played “a key role” in shaping political opinion and ideology, recognising global challenges, particularly in environmental protection, during his early involvement in politics.

Remembering Zhvania's role as the Parliament Speaker, Papuashvili pointed out diverse issues, “crucial” for Georgia's integration with Europe. “This generation of politicians, including Zhvania, tackled significant challenges, such as abolishing the death penalty and steering Georgia into membership with the Council of Europe”, he added.

The Parliament Speaker cited Zhvania’s words in the Council of Europe in 1999 “I am Georgian and therefore I am European”, and said this was especially symbolic as there were a few days left before the European Council’s positive decision on granting the country the EU membership candidate status and to say the same words that “Georgia is really Europe”.

Georgia’s contribution led to the shaping of Christian, European culture, to the formation [...] of European democracy”, the Parliament Speaker added, stressing “Europe has always been a part of our [Georgia’s] identity”.

Shalva Papuashvili presented the award to the late official’s wife, Nino Zhvania. Photo via Parliament of Georgia

The event, dedicated to Zhvania’s birthday anniversary, was held in the Parliament of Georgia, where Papuashvili presented the award to the late official’s wife, Nino Zhvania.