The head of the country, Salome Zourabichvili, has been proven to be a violator of the Constitution, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili told reporters.
Instead of setting an example for future presidents by always being on guard for the defence of the country and the Constitution, Salome Zourabichvili, he claims, has repeatedly and flagrantly violated the fundamental law.
“As for the court’s decision, this is, of course, a sad fact because, unfortunately, it has been proven that the head of the country, of our state, Salome Zourabichvili, is a clear violator of the Constitution. It does not make me happy as both the Prime Minister of my country and a regular citizen. I do not want my country’s president to break the law or the Constitution.
This is, of course, a very sad reality. Instead of the president demonstrating and setting an example for others, other government officials, or future presidents that she should always be on guard to protect the country, the law, and the fundamental law, the Constitution, Salome Zourabichvili blatantly and defiantly violated it many times, which is confirmed not only by politicians’ statements and the evidence presented, but established by the Constitutional Court, and this decision will not be revised.
In general, the process is as follows: as you are aware, the relevant procedure will be carried out in parliament. We stated from the start that we did not expect a sufficient number of votes to be cast. No one was under any delusions, either.
We have stated from the beginning that we do not have enough votes, but as rulers of the country, members of the government, members of parliament, authors of the law, and legislators, we must be examples. We must remind Salome Zourabichvili and everyone else that the time when the president thought himself above the law and the Constitution in this country is now over.
It is upsetting. You’ll obviously agree that some of our fellow citizens anticipated Salome Zourabichvili to bring European norms into Georgian politics. The European standard implies that everyone abides by the law and the Constitution. Instead, Salome Zourabichvili told us that she does not recognize the Constitution. This is a sad reality,” stated Irakli Garibashvili.
The Constitutional Court ruled on October 16 that President Salome Zourabichvili violated the Constitution. Six out of nine members of the plenum supported the decision. Three members of the plenum, Irina Imerlishvili, Giorgi Kverenchkhiladze, and Teimuraz Tughushi, did not back the judgment.
The Georgian parliament will hold an impeachment vote this week.
