Georgian Parliament Discusses Presidential Impeachment

On Wednesday, the Georgian Parliament is holding a session to discuss the impeachment of President Salome Zurabishvili. A vote on this matter is expected to take place later this evening, according to TASS.

The President addressed the assembly, appealing to the European Union for the granting of candidate status to Georgia. "From this podium, in this difficult moment, I urge our European partners, despite this anti-European impeachment, not to abandon Georgia, to prevent Russia from strengthening its influence in the region through soft power, indirect occupation of the Black Sea, or destabilization. I appeal to our partners as the President of this country, as I represent these people and their historical choice, and together with these people and on their behalf, I have complete legitimacy and authority to request candidate status for this country," said Zurabishvili.

According to the President, the impeachment process initiated against her hampers the country's ability to obtain candidate status. She also assured that her actions are solely guided by the goal of supporting the country's rapprochement with Europe, while at the same time, it is the ruling “Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia” party that has decided to remove her from office due to her meetings with European leaders.

Earlier reports indicated that the Constitutional Court of Georgia had ruled that President Salome Zurabishvili violated the Constitution of the country. At least 100 members of Parliament must support the impeachment decision. Given that almost all opposition members have pledged to vote against it, it is presumed that the ruling party will not be able to remove Zurabishvili from office.

“Georgian Dream” insists that the President violated the Constitution by traveling abroad without the government's permission. According to Article 52 of the Georgian Constitution, the President "exercises representative powers in foreign relations with the consent of the government, negotiating with foreign states and international organizations." Zurabishvili, in particular, has met with the Presidents of Germany, France, and the European Council.