Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili criticized the Georgian Public Broadcaster for refusing to cover her press conference on Monday, marking the third time the broadcaster has declined to attend a presidential event.
During the press conference, Zourabichvili expressed disappointment over the situation, highlighting broader concerns about the state of the media in Georgia. “It is sad what is happening in this country in terms of media. I will not say that two channels are not present – it is their decision. Absolutely everyone was invited. We invited Public Broadcasting for the third time in different formats. We were once told that their participation would not be possible unless there was an open format for everyone. The second time – a separate interview. For the third time, today, which is a universal format… we were refused all three times,” the President said.
In the same press conference, Zourabichvili addressed the recent decision by the United States to suspend aid to Georgia’s armed forces. While she acknowledged understanding the US reaction due to the Georgian government’s accusations, she voiced strong disagreement with the decision to cut military aid and potentially restrict funding to the Lugar Laboratory, a key research facility in the country.
“I am not surprised by the US reaction, statements. How should it be otherwise, when for more than 30 years, you have been helping the country in building a state in every possible way to stand on its feet… suddenly, incomprehensible, without explanation, they call you an enemy, accuse you of something, unheard of and incomprehensible conspiracy theories come in… How should the US react? Obviously, their clear and strict response was expected. But I do not understand two things – the budget restriction for our military and, this is not fully confirmed, the funding restriction for the Lugar laboratory. The army, on which the state and defense stand, cannot be punished. I did not understand this a bit and I will definitely find out,” Zourabichvili said.
The President also touched on the ongoing challenges within Georgia’s political landscape, particularly the difficulty opposition parties face in agreeing on a candidate for Prime Minister. Zourabichvili emphasized the need for political unity and compromise, cautioning against personal ambitions overshadowing the nation’s needs.
“The fate of the country is being decided today. All of us, not only the president, must give up personal political ambitions. I have said many times – whoever thinks that he will be the prime minister today will not be the prime minister. Actually, we all know that the agreement of the existing political parties on any prime minister – politician, I think, will be difficult, if not impossible,” she remarked.
Additionally, Zourabichvili criticized the ruling Georgian Dream party for its focus on former President Mikheil Saakashvili, suggesting that the party used Saakashvili as a tool to intimidate voters. She pointed out that Saakashvili had been given “unlimited live broadcasting for political messages” during court proceedings and urged the nation to prioritize the future of Georgia over the fate of any single individual.
“The actualization of Saakashvili only needs the ruling party. It is significant that his trial is scheduled now. That every process is given unlimited live broadcast to send political messages. The last hope of the GD is to scare voters with Saakashvili. Saakashvili is not relevant today. The future of Georgia is relevant today. First, we have to save Georgia, then the fate of Saakashvili will be in its place,” Zourabichvili concluded.
