Irakli Kobakhidze Criticizes Salome Zourabichvili in Response to President's CBS Interview
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Irakli Kobakhidze, chairman of Georgian Dream, in response to statements made by President Salome Zourabichvili during her CBS interview, stated after the majority meeting that questioning the prime minister's motivation for European integration amounts to direct 'agitation' against the EU candidacy status.
"When the president visits Europe and discusses with her European partners whether the prime minister desires or opposes the country's integration into Europe, it directly implies that Salome Zourabichvili, along with other radical politicians, is involved in anti-status agitation. Her television address also qualifies as anti-status agitation. Questioning the prime minister's motivations for European integration constitutes direct agitation against the status," remarked Kobakhidze.
The Chairman stated that President Zourabichvili is 'formally' the president of Georgia but, in fact, he believes she is the president of the opposition party United National Movement.
"For us, she is no longer the president of Georgia. She is only formally the president of Georgia, but in fact, she is the president of the 'United National Movement.' You have seen, even today during her television appearance, what her spirit is, what her messages are. She goes to Europe to campaign against candidate status. When you go to Europe and talk to your colleagues about the fact that the current government of Georgia does not want European integration, this, of course, means agitating against the candidacy status. How can you let such a person go to Europe when you want her to get the status of a candidate?" Kobakhidze said.
'Georgian Dream' Chairman expressed the belief that Salome Zourabichvili, who has one year left in her presidential term, is 'no longer relevant' in influencing the country's direction. According to Kobakhidze, despite her remaining time in office, Zourabichvili will not cause harm to the nation nor will she be able to prevent Georgia from attaining the status of a candidate for a particular program or recognition.
Irakli Kobakhidze added that there are strong, optimistic expectations that Georgia will be granted EU candidate status in December. He mentioned a significant shift in the chances, indicating that previously it was seen as a 50/50 possibility, but now the prospects have 'greatly' improved.
