Parliamentary majority leader marks 1st President Gamsakhurdia’s 87th birthday, praises 1991 independence referendum

Irakli Kirtskhalia, leader of Georgia’s parliamentary majority, has marked 31 March as the birthday of the country’s first President Zviad Gamsakhurdia, who would have turned 87 today.

In a social media post on Tuesday, Kirtskhalia highlighted Gamsakhurdia’s central role in Georgia’s struggle for independence and the 31 March 1991 referendum, which demonstrated the nation’s united and determined position to the world.

He noted that 98.9% of eligible voters supported the question, “Do you agree that Georgia’s state independence should be restored based on the Act of 26 May 1918?” - affirming the Georgian people’s unwavering choice for freedom and shaping the path for a united, independent country guided by national interests.

“Georgian Dream will do everything to ensure our country remains united and that our statehood is never threatened,” Kirtskhalia wrote.