Salome Zourabichvili Plans to Propose Technical Government Ahead of Elections

"There are 14 days left before the elections, and everything is on track because I have fulfilled the promise I made to the public. The Georgian Charter has been completed! This is our action plan to reclaim our European future and move beyond our Russian past - or a Russian future, if anyone believes that could be our path - while guaranteeing the independence and progress of Georgia.

I wanted meetings. I didn’t hold consultations; these were neither consultations nor negotiations. I wanted to go over every point of this charter with the four parties that currently form the pro-European platform and secure their explicit commitment to fully implement the charter. Why? Because I went to Europe with this charter, met with all the responsible figures, and received their assurance that if this charter is implemented to some degree (obviously, no one will hold me accountable for every single point), as long as there is political will and this march with the charter continues, we will swiftly return to where we belong - at the doorstep of these negotiations. I accepted this promise and took it as my responsibility. In this regard, I have a significant responsibility to both the public and our partners, and I remain fully committed to my word," Zourabichvili said at today’s briefing.

The president stated that she discussed this issue with all parties and received confirmation from each of them that they "are committed to this charter and are ready to see the process through to the end."

"I am very satisfied with this. However, there remain different interpretations on one issue. These interpretations concern the last sentence of the charter: 'We promise that the government responsible for the implementation of this action plan will be nominated by the President of Georgia.' I intend to present a technical government. On May 26th, I informed the public that since the mandate given to politicians does not extend to redistributing power and forming a government during this transitional phase, I have formed this technical, administrative government. It will be solely responsible for implementing the provisions of the charter and guiding us to the doorstep of the European Union in the coming months. I must introduce this non-political, technical government.

And since this is my responsibility, I believe I should present it before the elections, so the public knows who will be in charge of the government - naturally, under the oversight of the parliament and political parties - who will lead the country in alignment with this charter.

Today, there are differing interpretations, and it is time for the parties to make a decision - how strongly they support the charter, not just its spirit but every word within it, because this is a document that must leave no room for future misinterpretation.

The stability of this country depends on this. We all understand that, given the past between these four parties and the fact that the future has not yet been shaped (though I am sure they have mutual trust in the parliament), it is essential to determine who truly stands behind this charter.

Therefore, I am waiting for the parties to reaffirm that they agree with everything in the charter. Those who do not agree can withdraw their signatures. The public deserves to know, when they vote, which party fully and consistently supports this charter.

I am confident that, with this approach, we will move steadily and clearly through all the necessary steps, leading Georgia to the opening of EU negotiations in June of next year, which is my responsibility. After that, my responsibility will be fulfilled," said Zourabichvili.

The Coalition for Change has already expressed its support for the president's initiative. According to Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of the political union, by signing the charter, they have confirmed their commitment to fully comply with all of its provisions.