Irakli Kobakhidze: Government Consent Required for President's Visits
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Chairman of 'Georgian Dream,' Irakli Kobakhidze, while justifying the submission of the President's impeachment to the Constitutional Court, stated that it is necessary for the government to consent to the President's visits.
The ruling party initiated the impeachment procedure because President Salome Zourabichvili visited European Union member states' leaders despite the government's refusal.
Kobakhidze cited an example, suggesting that the President might visit countries like Syria, which has recognized the independence of Georgia's occupied territories, or Nicaragua. According to him, the President expresses the state's position through such visits.
"Any such visit requires consent. We can provide clear examples that demonstrate the necessity of this practice, as it stems from constitutional provisions.
For instance, consider if the president were to visit countries like Syria, which has recognized Abkhazia and the so-called Independence of South Ossetia, to attend a parade, or if the visit were to take place in Nicaragua or any similar country.
This, of course, does not imply conducting negotiations, but it does signify that the president is expressing the political position of the state. Therefore, it is crucial for the President to obtain approval from the Government of Georgia for any such visit.
That is, we are not only referring to visits where negotiations are conducted, with the goal of, for example, concluding agreements or attaining candidate status. By attending any ceremonial event, the President of Georgia expresses the position of the state of Georgia. This constitutes the exercise of representative authority during any such visit," Kobakhidze said.
Kobakhidze suggested that it is necessary for the government to grant approval for such visits. He mentioned that the President, in the past, had been aware of this requirement and had sought government approval for her visits. However, there were instances where the President did not receive approval but still proceeded with the visits.
