Georgia Impeachment Watch: Parliament Set to Vote on Zurabishvili

Georgia is entering a critical phase as lawmakers prepare to vote on whether President Salome Zurabishvili should be impeached. The decision is expected to surface in a late autumn parliamentary session. In an interview with the Georgian Public Broadcaster, the head of government, Irakli Kobakhidze, outlined a plan tied to the party’s electoral results and its strategy for governance. He said the governing party aims to secure more than one hundred seats in the next legislature, a threshold that would shape the chances of any impeachment bid moving forward. The timing of the vote matters as much as the numbers on ballots, because the President’s fate could hinge on when parliament convenes for its first meeting and whether the impeachment motion is already in a position to receive a floor vote. Observers note that the approach reflects persistent friction between the executive branch and a dominant ruling majority, all played out against a backdrop of recent electoral outcomes and the discipline of party ranks.
The Constitutional Court of Georgia rejected a request to suspend the law on foreign agents, despite Zurabishvili’s objections. The ruling highlights the court’s approach to authority and political accountability, and it eliminates a potential constitutional escape hatch for the president on this issue. Supporters argue the law promotes transparency for political actors and civil society, while opponents contend it can be used to limit political dissent. With the decision, Zurabishvili faces limited avenues to stall or dilute the law while balancing her constitutional duties and political obligations. The court’s action adds another layer to a volatile political climate, reinforcing the sense that legal mechanisms can influence the trajectory of an impeachment process even before it reaches a vote.
Shalva Papuashvili, the speaker of the Georgian Parliament, stated that the parliamentary majority decided to restart the impeachment procedure against Zurabishvili. The announcement signals a renewed push by the governing bloc to challenge the presidency, contingent on parliamentary rules, committee timelines, and the number of allies remaining loyal. Restarting the process means that committees must again review evidence, debate legal grounds, and prepare a formal recommendation ahead of a possible floor vote. The path is likely to involve multiple procedural steps, from voting on motions of confidence to balancing opposition calls for transparency and due process. In practice, the speed and success of the effort will depend on the composition of the new legislature, the strength of party unity, and the capacity to mobilize lawmakers across formal channels.
A former Georgian prime minister has accused the president of intervening in the electoral process. Proponents of the impeachment initiative point to patterns the opposition highlights as proof of partisan influence in elections. Critics contend that attempts to review the presidency’s conduct in relation to the electoral cycle reflect broader constitutional struggles over executive authority. The public discourse around these claims intensifies questions about the president’s impartiality and the government’s commitment to fair competition. International observers watch closely, noting that the political dynamic in Georgia affects regional stability and the country’s path toward stronger democratic institutions.
Georgia stands at a constitutional fault line where the presidency, the ruling majority, and the opposition will shape governance in the near term. The impeachment mechanism is a focal point of conflict, capable of testing institutions and political resolve. As lawmakers prepare to decide on the President’s future, the country watches how procedural rules, public consent, and legal interpretations converge. The outcome will influence not only domestic politics but also Georgia’s relations with regional partners and international allies, who urge stability, reform, and adherence to democratic norms.