Constitutional Court launches consideration of President’s alleged violation for impeachment

The Georgian Constitutional Court on Monday announced its plenum had launched the consideration of President Salome Zourabichvili’s alleged violation of the country’s constitution through her unauthorized EU visits this month, following the address of the country’s ruling party on September 12. 

 

The Court said it would present its conclusion in a month’s time, which means if accusations are approved, the President’s impeachment will be voted on in the state legislature. 

 

The Court added 80 MPs of the ruling party had submitted a relevant application for consideration of the alleged violation. 

 

The President’s dismissal, who said her EU trip without the Government’s consent aimed to facilitate the country’s obtaining the bloc’s candidate status later this year, needs at least 100 votes in the 150-member Parliament. 

 

The ruling party will need the opposition’s support to dismiss Zourabichvili. However, the United National Movement – the largest opposition group in the Parliament – said they will boycott the vote, accusing the ruling party of “undermining” the country’s European future. 

 

European leaders also said the process would not help Georgia’s EU goal and could further strengthen domestic political polarization.