Georgian PM criticizes President as opposition’s “puppet”

Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday dismissed President Salome Zourabichvili as irrelevant, labeling her a “puppet” of the United National Movement opposition party.

Speaking to journalists, Kobakhidze claimed, “Zourabichvili is not a president of Georgia but of the UNM”.

He pointed out that the Constitutional Court ruled Zourabichvili violated the Constitution of Georgia for her unauthorized foreign visits, a verdict she herself accepted by recognizing the legitimacy of the court. “By her own admission, she is a president who violates the constitution. She remains in office only because the UNM did not support her impeachment.

From this moment on, she is no longer the president of Georgia but merely a puppet of the united National Movement. None of her words or statements hold any value,” Kobakhidze asserted.

Regarding a separate incident involving the insulting of Nika Melia, an opposition leader and the former head of the UNM, in Samtredia last week, Kobakhidze condemned the act, emphasizing the importance of peaceful elections. “It is crucial that elections be held in a calm and peaceful environment. Such incidents are unacceptable. I urge everyone to refrain from such actions, as maintaining a peaceful atmosphere during the elections is particularly important for the ruling party,” he said.