Vice PM claims President will be “more involved in revolutionary efforts” ahead of elections

Tea Tsulukiani, the Georgian Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Culture, on Wednesday claimed Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili was “directly involved” in “revolutionary efforts” in the country ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for October, and added she would increase the alleged efforts in the remaining months.

Tsulukiani was commenting after Zourabichvili on Tuesday vetoed amendments to the election code, approved by the Parliament, that stipulated transfer of the power to elect the Chair and members of the Central Election Commission to the President if the legislative body failed to elect them in two attempts.

In her interview with Imedi TV, Tsulukiani said “nothing is surprising” to see from Zourabichvili. 

She is directly involved, and will probably be more involved, in the revolutionary efforts. As the elections approach, we understand that, regardless of the actual outcome of the elections, it is necessary for them to destabilise [the situation in the country]. They do not see any other future for themselves”, Tsulukiani said in reference to the domestic opposition.

The official stressed the need to “protect the sovereign right” of the citizens to “decide who stays and who goes” with the voting.