In an interview with TV Pirveli on October 5, President Salome Zurabishvil discussed her recent trips to Europe, plans for a new government composition after the elections and possible guarantees for the ruling party. She also spoke about the emigrant vote and the role that public servants will play in shaping a new and developed Georgia following the elections.
The President was asked to comment on the significance of her recent visits to European countries, particularly in light of the Georgian Government’s total isolation from the West. She said that her visits were “exactly because our relations with everyone have been ruined”, noting that it was important to ensure that, after the Georgian citizens show that they are firmly committed to EU integration in the upcoming elections, the EU would return Georgia to its original process.
Zurabishvili stated that she had received assurances from European leaders during her visits that the EU was waiting for Georgia. If Georgians decide the EU is their ultimate goal, then the “open window” that Georgia has been granted because of Ukraine, is still waiting and open. She stated that the goal was to return firmly on this path by the decision of the Council of the European Union to open accession talks with Georgia in June 2025. In the process, she highlighted the help of the Polish president, who will be the Council’s chair next year, and whom she met last week.
The President pointed out that Georgian Dream’s campaign, based on empty claims of bringing Georgia closer towards the EU, was a lie. It reminded her of the USSR’s claims about being a democratic country. She also pointed out other similarities between GD and the Soviet Union, such as recent campaign banners. She said that GD’s recent actions have been a copy of the Russian mode of operation. Zurabishvili said that she was often asked by Western leaders about the change in GD’s policy, but she had no answer as she didn’t know the facts.
She also discussed the messages from the European leaders and the notes she received from the Special Advisor to U.S. president Michael Carpenter. She said that she had the impression that the U.S. was not imposing sanctions against the founder of GD Bidzina, Ivanishvili, in order to avoid accusations of interference in the domestic politics of the country. She also said that GD hopes that a change of government in the U.S. would bring an opportunity to “clean-up” relations with a strategic partner were deceptive. The “Megobari Act”, initiated in Congress, is a proof that bipartisan support was given to the Georgian people. If GD’s actions continued, she warned that more sanctions would be awaiting it.
Zurabishvili, the president, was asked if Ivanishvili would be willing to communicate with her to share the Western messages that she had received. She replied that she was not against this, but that the last time that she spoke with him was back in June 2022. He then forwarded the message to the U.S. Ambassador and indicated that she doesn’t want to talk to him. She was asked if Ivanishvili would need some assurances that he would be safe after the election, and she replied that now is not the time to offer such guarantees.
In terms of her guarantees to the Georgian Dream Party, she said that, as President, she will protect its rights after it moves into opposition, just like she protects other parties’ rights. She also emphasized that it was essential for the four main parties in opposition to get enough votes to form the government and achieve the goals outlined in the Georgian Charter. The GD and small parties would be in opposition in a healthy political climate.
She stated that the composition of the new government will be decided after consultations with opposition parties. She already has a candidate for the position of Prime Minister who does not have a background in politics. She also stated that these consultations would begin this week.
She also described her vision of the government after the election, saying that she believes the political center to be in the parliament, and the ministers to serve only as a means to return Georgia to EU in the coming year or two, until the technical governments are changed again through elections. She also highlighted the role of civil service in achieving the Georgian Charter goals, saying that the staff has worked very hard over the last year and their main problem is the party loyalty they need to shake off.
The President then focused on the problems of emigrants that want to vote abroad. She said that the limited number of polling stations is in the best interests of the GD Party because no emigrant would vote for them. She also stressed that the issue was stuck in a circle because the Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that it was not within their jurisdiction to instruct the CEC in order to open more voting stations. She urged the emigrants and their families to participate in the election regardless.
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