Georgian opposition demands impeachment of premier over airplane scandal

The Georgian opposition parliamentary party "Lelo for Georgia" plans to launch impeachment proceedings against Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili because he allegedly used a government airplane for personal purposes.

"The Lelo party has decided to launch impeachment proceedings in connection with a possible crime committed by Prime Minister Garibashvili," TASS quotes Levan Samushi, a member of the party's political council, as addressing a briefing.

Earlier, a photo showing Garibashvili appeared on social media, claiming that he was in the United States. Later, the Department of Strategic Communications of the Georgian government confirmed this information, noting that the head of the cabinet was in the US with his son, who had enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania. The department emphasized that he used a charter flight for a private visit to the United States.

Information about the charter flight caused a stir in Georgian society. Many believe that the salary of the head of the republic's government does not allow him to hire a private plane.

On September 9, Georgian opposition TV channel TV Pirveli reported that the prime minister travelled to the United States on a government plane. The flight took place on August 19.

To start impeachment proceedings against a member of the government, 50 MPs out of 150 must apply to the Constitutional Court of Georgia. If it establishes within a month that the official has violated the law, the parliament must consider a resolution on impeachment within two weeks. A member of the government will be considered dismissed from office if a majority of 150 MPs vote in favour.

At the same time, the ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party is conducting impeachment proceedings against President Salome Zourabichvili. She is accused of making official visits to European countries without government approval. According to the constitution, the president can fulfil representative functions in foreign policy only with the consent of the Cabinet.