Media: President Zourabichvili’s impeachment to intensify political polarisation in Georgia

The impeachment process of Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, initiated by the government, may intensify political polarisation in the country.

Many political observers share this opinion. Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party has launched impeachment proceedings against President Zourabichvili after she traveled to Europe for official meetings in late August without receiving governmental approval, Anadolu reports.

Party chairman Irakli Kobakhidze said that Georgian Dream initiated impeachment proceedings for violating the Constitution.

After the collapse of the USSR and the restoration of independence in 1991, Georgia faced problems with territorial integrity.

The country continues the process of integration with NATO to strengthen security and ensure territorial integrity.
Tbilisi also eyes to join the European Union.

The country's authorities hope to receive the status of a candidate for joining the EU by the end of the year.
The EU high-ranking representatives voiced the opinion that the impeachment process initiated against Zourabichvili is a “political risk” on the country’s path to integration into the EU.

Zourabichvili really violated the Constitution by going abroad without the consent of the Cabinet of Ministers, expert in Caucasus issues Mamuka Areshidze said in an interview with Anadolu.

The expert said that the government should not have escalated the situation, given that the ruling party does not have enough votes for Zourabichvili’s impeachment.

“The process will be delayed. This situation is tense, but I would also like to note that it will be unable to have a critical impact on the country’s policy,” he said.

Anadolu Agency also learned the opinion of Head of the Center for Strategic Studies Vazha Beridze about the current situation.

He said that the events in Georgia should be considered not only from the point of view of domestic politics, but also as part of global processes.

He emphasised that according to the Georgian Constitution, the president does not determine the country's domestic and foreign policy - this is within the competence of the government.

"The president violated the constitution. Of course, society and the government had to react to this,” Beridze said.
The head of the centre noted that the impeachment procedure may harm the process of granting Georgia candidate status in the EU.