On Wednesday, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze labeled President Salome Zurabishvili as a “minor player” and a “puppet of the United National Movement (UNM) opposition,” insisting that she had “no remaining functions or responsibilities” in her position.
In an interview with Imedi TV, Kobakhidze referred to a Constitutional Court ruling from the previous year, which precipitated an impeachment vote against Zurabishvili, claiming her continued presence in office was solely due to opposition backing.
“The legitimacy of her role is nonexistent following these events,” the Prime Minister emphasized.
Kobakhidze also reflected on the 2018 Presidential elections, pointing out that while Zurabishvili won in the second round, she was deemed “unacceptable to the public” and won based on promises to prevent the UNM’s return to power.
“When your legitimacy is entirely dependent on the UNM, it means you have none. Zurabishvili came into office with a different agenda but is now relying on the very force she opposed, demonstrating her lack of authority. There is no personal, political, or electoral legitimacy remaining,” Kobakhidze said, claiming that Zurabishvili’s term was nearing its end.
When asked about the possibility of Zurabishvili declaring the October 26 elections illegitimate, Kobakhidze dismissed this, calling the outcome “guaranteed.” He added, “this will be her final task, and she will not succeed.”
