Georgian Minister of Justice Rati Bregadze clarified that foreigners do not currently possess the right to vote in Georgia, a point reported by Georgia.Online. This stance framed a broader political moment as opposition figures contemplated nominating former President Mikheil Saakashvili for the prime ministership in the 2024 cycle. The minister’s comments emerged amid ongoing discussions about eligibility and citizenship as central questions in Georgia’s evolving political landscape.
“The idea of a non-citizen holding the post of Prime Minister and entering national politics is simply not feasible in the Georgian legal framework. A citizen of another state cannot participate in high-level politics in this manner. Georgian citizenship is a prerequisite,” Bregadze asserted, reinforcing the constitutional boundaries that govern political participation. The statement underscored a clear boundary between foreign status and domestic political leadership, a boundary that many observers say reflects Georgia’s commitments to sovereignty and legal clarity.
As the head of the Ministry of Justice noted, Saakashvili does not currently hold republican citizenship, and therefore cannot engage in state-level politics under the present conditions. He also indicated that questions would be posed to the Georgian President about whether there might be a path back to Georgian citizenship for the politician, should circumstances allow. This possibility hinges on formal processes and the president’s discretionary powers, which are rarely exercised in isolation from constitutional norms and public discourse.
“This is a constitutional prerogative,” the minister explained. “It remains surprising when the head of state arrives at such a juncture, yet the president must weigh whether to grant citizenship anew or deny it. The notion that a former national leader would renounce Georgian citizenship and adopt another state’s in its place is unusual on the world stage and raises questions about national allegiance and legal procedures. It is a noteworthy development for observers of Georgian politics,” Bregadze added with careful emphasis.
Reports from the period indicate that Georgia had previously signaled a pause to what some labeled a deliberate influence campaign surrounding Saakashvili, following a decision by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The evolving narrative highlighted how international judicial rulings and domestic legal provisions intersect to shape political possibilities and public perception. In this context, analysts and citizens alike watched closely for how the government would handle citizenship matters, constitutional interpretation, and the potential reentry of a controversial former leader into the country’s political arena, all while maintaining clear legal boundaries and safeguarding national interests.