President Salome Zourabichvili Addresses Irakli Kobakhidze in Annual Parliamentary Speech
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili, during her annual speech in the Parliament, stated that for European integration, it is necessary to get rid of the "ugly formations of the vicious Soviet past." She addressed the Prime Minister candidate Irakli Kobakhidze in her speech.
Zourabichvili pointed out that Kobakhidze, having been involved in numerous controversial actions, such as allowing Russian MP Gavrilov into Parliament, annulling the Charles Michel document, promoting anti-European rhetoric, and attempting the President's impeachment, questioned how Kobakhidze intends to uphold European standards, especially in implementing recommendations during the pre-election period.
"It is evident that fulfilling these priorities cannot be achieved by any individual alone; rather, it is everyone's responsibility to the country and its future. Nevertheless, it is also apparent that the primary duty and responsibility lie with those who hold the levers of power, namely the government, the parliamentary majority, and currently, their leader, Bidzina Ivanishvili.
They, collectively and personally, are tasked with the immediate implementation of the 9 recommendations of the European Union. As the president of this country, I cannot and will not evaluate in advance the new or future prime minister, nor what the arrival of one, the departure of another, and the encouragement of a third mean. Still, I am obliged to voice from this platform what concerns the public and to which they have the right to receive an answer. Such accountability to society is the main principle of democracy.
I appeal to the new or future Prime Minister - you, who are associated with the admission of Gavrilov to the Parliament, the annulment of the Charles Michel document, anti-European rhetoric, and impeachment. How do you intend to fulfill the European order of society, and in particular, implement the recommendations before the elections?" Zourabichvili stated.
Zourabichvili then stated that although she asked questions to the prime ministerial candidate, the real person in charge of governing the country is who the questions should be directed to.
"Will you present a plan that clearly explains, with specific timelines, how you will change the composition of the Supreme Council of Justice and the Supreme Court; how you will ensure agreement on staffing for the election administration; how you will give investigative rights and independence to the anti-corruption service; how you will guarantee the independence of the National Bank; and how you will align with the EU's foreign and security policy.
However, the main recipient of the public's questions today is neither the prime minister, nor the chairman of the parliament, nor the ruling party, but the one who actually runs the country," President Zourabichvili said.
