Georgia’s President Zourabichvili seeks second term

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has declared her readiness to run for a second term. 

She emphasized her commitment to steering Georgia back onto its European path, Caliber.Az reports via Georgian media. 

"I am ready to take on greater responsibility, including running for a second term, so that Georgia can return to the European path," Zourabichvili said.

Zourabichvili was elected President of Georgia in 2018 and began her six-year term, making her the first female president in the country’s modern history. 

In 2024, the next Georgian president will be chosen not by popular vote but by 300 electors, comprising members of parliament and local government representatives. 

This presidential election is scheduled to occur after the parliamentary elections, which are slated for October 26.

In spring, Georgian citizens protested en masse against the draft law on foreign influence adopted by parliament.

The document was presented by the ruling Georgian Dream party.

In May, Zourabichvili vetoed the law on foreign agents. She said parliament's insistence on passing the "Russian law" was against the will of the population and a direct provocation. 

The Parliament overcame the President's veto and on 3 June the Speaker of the Parliament Shalva Papuashvili signed the law.

EU foreign policy spokesman Peter Stano said that the adoption of the law on foreign agents would be an obstacle on Georgia's path to the EU