Mamuka Mdinaradze, the secretary general of Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia party, stated that party members will stop referring to Salome Zurabishvili as president, effectively denying her official status. The remark was reported by the portal NewsGeorgi a.ge, which highlighted the party’s stance as part of a broader political feud in Tbilisi.
Mdinaradze argued that Zurabishvili lacks legitimacy from the MPs elected by the people and from the majority that formed the government. He asserted that the party would not call her president, but would refer to her simply as Salome Zurabishvili, an opposition figure rather than a sitting head of state. Such language underscores the deep strain between the ruling party and the president, reflecting ongoing political polarization in Georgia’s capital and among its political blocs. The exchange illustrates how leadership roles in the country can become subjects of public dispute and rhetorical confrontation within parliamentary politics. [Citation: NewsGeorgi a.ge]
The material suggests that the timing of Mdinaradze’s statement is linked to Zurabishvili’s public remarks during an interview with the French television channel LCI. The interview occurred during a visit to a European country that was not coordinated with the Georgian government, adding another layer of friction to the dynamic between the executive branch and the presidency. This context helps explain why the ruling party chose to publicly challenge the president’s status and to frame the disagreement in terms of legitimacy and political loyalty. [Citation: NewsGeorgi a.ge]
In the interview, Zurabishvili spoke about international figures and possible future steps for Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine in relation to European Union accession. She suggested that the three states could pursue EU membership in parallel, a plan that would place Georgia in a broader regional trajectory toward Western integration. According to the interview, she also commented on the possibility that Chinese President Xi Jinping could be held accountable by international standards for actions affecting minority communities. The remarks reflect ongoing international- and human-rights-oriented discussions that often surface when Georgia engages with major global powers and European partners. The statement about a three-country EU track and the assertion regarding accountability in China drew attention from observers within Georgia and beyond. [Citation: NewsGeorgi a.ge]
Observers note that the Georgian Dream party has previously raised questions about the president’s role and legitimacy after impeachment proceedings did not lead to removal from office. The broader political discourse in Georgia at the moment includes debates about constitutional powers, executive oversight, and how to manage disputes between the presidency and the parliament. Such debates are part of a longer arc in Georgia’s struggle to balance domestic political forces with euro-Atlantic aspirations and ongoing reforms. This episode illustrates how internal party dynamics intersect with international diplomacy and media narratives, shaping how Georgia presents its leadership to the public and to international partners. [Citation: NewsGeorgi a.ge]