Parliament Speaker denounces President’s charter uniting domestic opposition ahead of parliamentary elections

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Tuesday said a charter advanced by President Salome Zourabichvili for uniting domestic opposition parties ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26, and its signatories regarded “Georgian people as incapable of electing the country’s Government”.

Papuashvili’s comments followed a statement by Zourabichvili, who on Monday said a “technical Government” of “professionals should be formed” in the country in consultation with political parties, but “not from politicians appointed by them”.

In May, the President submitted the charter aimed at uniting domestic opposition to “rebuild trust and to forge a new political reality” in the state ahead of the elections.

The lawmaker further claimed the President’s remark on "with the people, but a little higher" in reference to a response she gave while speaking to the media, reflected “her view of the Georgian citizens as an unformed nation and state, lacking the ability to elect the Government and have democratic terms that are in normal countries”.

Asked about Zurabishvili not signing a bill for amnesty for thousands of prisoners, approved by the Parliament last week, Papuashvili claimed “she was not concerned about the welfare of citizens or the situation of convicts”, alleging the President was “busy with pre-election dynamics”.

He also referenced a Constitutional Court ruling from last year that led to an impeachment vote against Zourabichvili for her visits to Europe in late August and September without the Government's authorisation, asserting she had “only remained in office due to support” by the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili and the opposition United National Movement party, which he alleged had helped her retain her position during the process.