Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Tuesday directed attention to Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling party Georgian Dream who has been serving as the GD honorary chair since his third political comeback to politics in December, and claimed he was a “genuine ruler” of the country and the public had questions to him over the ongoing cabinet reshuffle and reforms. 

Emphasizing his significant role in steering the country's direction, the president also underscored public concerns regarding corruption, foreign policy, and the transition towards a more democratic governance model, urging Ivanishvili to react to the questions and an alleged presence of “clan of judges” in the domestic judiciary.

Zourabichvili also called upon Irakli Kobakhidze, the prime minister designate, to clarify plans for advancing the country's European integration amidst recent political events. Concerns were raised regarding the admission of controversial figures to parliament and the escalation of anti-Western rhetoric.

Citing growing divisions and dissatisfaction within society, the president warned against further polarization and destructive rhetoric, and proposed the establishment of a collaborative platform, the "Platform of Unity for Europe," aimed at defining shared priorities and fostering dialogue towards European integration.

The president expressed her readiness to facilitate this initiative by establishing a coordination center within her administration, encouraging all stakeholders to contribute to the formation of a joint document outlining the country's path towards a European future.Slamming the president’s report as “uninteresting”, Kobakhidze claimed the address had confirmed Zourabichvili’s plans to resign in September and form a political party to participate in the October’s parliamentary elections. 

"There was nothing interesting in the President's speech. The only thing that was interesting was that she actually confirmed the plans we were talking about. She clearly intends to create a pseudo-centrist political force. For this reason, she will resign in September and take part in the elections”, Kobakhidze said. 

He also said  Zourabichvili and not Ivanishvili needed to respond to the public questions, accusing her of violating domestic laws and “undermining” its European future.