“Time for medical intervention” Georgian analysts slam ex-president’s government plans

Former Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili called for the creation of a technical government composed of opposition representatives in case of a possible “collapse of the ruling party Georgian Dream regime.” She made this statement during a live broadcast on her Facebook page, according to the Tbilisi-based publication Sova.

Zourabichvili believes it is already important to determine who would take temporary control of the country until “free and fair parliamentary elections” can be held. She added that discussions about forming a technical government are already underway and that there are various initiatives, but she did not reveal any details. 

Zourabichvili reminded that she had proposed a similar cabinet ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections — in case Georgian Dream suffered defeat. In her view, if the opposition had been able to reach an agreement back then, it would have achieved far more significant political results today.

But what does this really mean? Can Zourabichvili seriously expect a “collapse of the regime”? Are there any real conditions that could make this possible?

Prominent Georgian experts shared their views on the matter with Caliber.Az.

Analyst Irakli Lataria noted that Zourabichvili has absolutely no public support that would allow her to influence the domestic political situation.

“Nobody listens to her — most people openly laugh at her. As for her talk about some kind of ‘technical government,’ the former president doesn’t even specify who she has in mind. And that’s no coincidence: today’s opposition has virtually no figures left whom the public actually trusts. Zourabichvili can’t even name five people who could realistically be part of such a ‘government.’

Most citizens trust Georgian Dream, its leader Bidzina Ivanishvili, and the current Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. Zourabichvili, of course, understands this perfectly well, but the issue lies elsewhere — she acts in the interests of another country and merely repeats what she is told. That’s why I don’t think anyone will take her proposals seriously,” Lataria said.

Political analyst Bidzina Giorgobiani, founder of the “United Neutral Georgia” movement, went even further. According to him, the idea of a “technical government” is not Zourabichvili’s initiative at all, but rather “a directive from Brussels.”

“Three years ago, during the protests in Georgia, this idea was first introduced. At that time, it was pushed into the public space by several NGOs funded by Brussels.

Since Salome Zourabichvili is a McCain Foundation fellow, she receives her assignments from external actors — either from the United States or from Brussels. And now Brussels is once again pushing this kind of initiative aimed at stirring up tension, even though there are absolutely no grounds for it within Georgia. Moreover, creating a ‘technical’ or any sort of ‘alternative government’ here is legally impossible. In my view, if Zourabichvili continues down this path, she risks stepping outside the constitutional framework — and that could lead to criminal charges,” the politician noted.

According to Giorgobiani, Georgian law contains a relevant provision.

“The Criminal Code includes an article that punishes calls to overthrow the legitimate government. Yet Zourabichvili keeps playing these games, and I think at this point medical professionals should intervene.

Just imagine: when she left the presidential palace at the end of her term, she actually stole and took with her the presidential standard. And now, when meeting with foreign representatives, she places the national flag and the presidential standard next to herself — completely illegally.

Overall, it’s difficult to take her statements seriously,” Giorgobiani concluded.