Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili delivered an address following the conclusion of the Georgian Dream session in the highest legislative body. According to Zourabichvili, "Today, the Georgian Parliament no longer exists."
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“I address the Georgian society, whose hearts are heavy today and should ache for all of us, because today, the Georgian Parliament no longer exists. Whether it is the Georgian Parliament or the ruling party, one political faction has torn up the Constitution upside down. I am deeply sorry.
I am especially sorry for Kobakhidze, the author of this Constitution. It seems he failed to anticipate certain outcomes; otherwise, he would not have found himself in a position where the Constitution had to be torn up upside down.
I am sorry for all the parliamentarians who sat frozen today, knowing they are the product of a rigged election, knowing they will be confined to this hall for weeks or months - who knows how long - without any real rights.
I am sorry for Georgia, where people greet one another as we saw in today’s footage - a truly shameful display that will go down in history as a disgraceful moment. The images of people greeting or kneeling in such a manner are humiliating.
On the other hand, I am not sorry for you. I am not sorry for our society, which stands where it needs to stand, and when it needs to stand!
I am not sorry for our youth, because the future belongs to them. They must prepare not only to claim that future but to take the reins of this country very soon.
If there is one clear message, it is that your time has come. The old era, represented by today’s parliament, is truly over. This country urgently needs a new generation and new political forces.
Very soon, the time for new elections will come. These elections must be conducted freely and fairly, not under the 'Kalandarishvili method.' That time is definitely approaching!
Our primary responsibility today is not to stage daily protests but to prepare. If we prepare, we must believe in ourselves, trust in our partners - who are not ready to abandon Georgia - and have faith that the future of this country belongs to all of us.
When I decide to go to Strasbourg, as I have done in the past, I will inform you in advance. I will tell you why I am going, whom I will meet, what I intend to achieve, and how I will return.
I will be here, as I have already promised, and together we will prepare for new elections!” said the President.
At today’s session, Georgian Dream confirmed the authority of all 150 members, elected the Speaker of Parliament and their deputies, as well as the chairpersons of committees.
The session was held against the backdrop of a protest rally. Representatives of diplomatic missions and ambassadors accredited to Georgia did not attend.
As per the Constitution, the president convenes the first session of a newly elected parliament. However, Salome Zourabichvili did not do so. She contested the results of the parliamentary elections and, consequently, the legality of all 150 members’ election, by filing an appeal with the Constitutional Court. Constitutional experts explain that the parliament had no right to confirm the authority of individuals whose election legality was under appeal in the Constitutional Court. This and other decisions made by the parliament are therefore considered illegal.
