Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of Parliament, announced on October 7 that the ruling Georgian Dream Party will initiate a second round of impeachment procedures against President Salome Zurabishvili. The speaker stated at a press conference that the visits she made to European capitals the previous week were the reason for filing a complaint with the Constitutional Court. Papuashvili said that the impeachment will have a “symbolic” and “principled” significance, so she won’t be remembered as the former president but as the impeached President.
On October 7, Prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced the pre-election programme of the ruling Georgian Dream Party, promising that the state budget would exceed GEL 50 billion by 2028 (approx. USD 18 billion. Kobakhidze spoke mainly about the economy and increased funding for various sectors. He also stressed the need to reset relations with the U.S., the EU, and Russia, and pursue a pragmatic approach with Russia. He also emphasized the importance of cooperation with NATO, and partnership with China. The Honorary Chairman of GD, Bidzina Ivanishvili, and the Chairman Irakli Gharibashvili were not present at the event.
Salome Zurabishvili, the President of Georgia, called for citizens to participate in the parliamentary elections scheduled for October. She also encouraged youth representatives to volunteer to be election observers, to protect the votes. Zurabishvili announced the creation of an Orbeliani Palace coordination platform to closely monitor election day. “On election day, we will set up a coordination platform at the President’s home so that we can closely monitor everything that happens on that day and celebrate together,” said President Zurabishvili.
Salome Zurabishvili began consultations with political parties of opposition on the composition and future interim government that will be formed following the October parliamentary election. The first group to arrive at the Presidential Palace was the “Coalition for Change”. They held talks with the President. “In my opinion, I think the process is moving very well. Nika Gvaramia told reporters that the President’s initiative was timely, correct and very rational. He also mentioned that no ministerial candidate was named at the meeting today.
Pawel Herczynski said that the EU’s annual report on enlargement is expected to be released in the second half October. He said that the chances of the European Commission recommending the opening of accession discussions with Georgia are “highly unlikely”, and that the EU’s decision to begin accession negotiations with Georgia “is even less likely”.
Mtavari TV and TV Pirveli, media outlets that lean towards the opposition, face heavy fines for refusing to air a political ad from the ruling party, which contrasts the war-torn Ukraine against the peace Georgian Dream promises. “The Ivanishvili-controlled government is putting us in a dilemma – either we broadcast these videos or face heavy fines, which could lead to the suspension of our channels’ operations,” reads the joint statement by the opposition media outlets, accusing the GD of exploiting the tragedy of the Ukrainian people for its political campaign.
The Daily Beat: Wednesday, 3 October
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