Zourabichvili: MEGOBARI Act Signals Georgia's Growing Isolation, Calls for New Elections
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Georgia's fifth President, Salome Zourabichvili, has sharply criticized the ruling Georgian Dream party and its honorary chair Bidzina Ivanishvili, saying the recently introduced U.S. MEGOBARI Act marks a turning point that confirms Georgia's growing international isolation.
"This is an indicator that there is a deep political crisis in the country," Zourabichvili stated, referencing the U.S. legislation that targets high-ranking Georgian Dream officials. "The country is paralyzed and entering isolation from its main partners-both the EU, whose representatives are insulted daily by Georgian Dream, and the U.S., which is already enforcing this list."
According to her, those named in the MEGOBARI Act are now flagged internationally. "Being found on such a list means that these names are known at the borders of all countries. This is a crisis for the country."
Zourabichvili directly blamed Bidzina Ivanishvili for the crisis, alleging he is ruling alone and possibly under Russian influence. "No one is responsible except for the person who is leading this country into an abyss," she said. "The solution is clear: new elections."
She argued that fresh elections are a peaceful, democratic way to resolve the ongoing crisis and restart stalled governance. "This country has been frozen for six months," she said. "We need decisions that will revive this country."
Zourabichvili concluded with a call for unity: "Everyone must come to their senses. We must help the country by standing together and demanding elections now. Time is running out."
