Leading MPs Want Foreign Minister Zourabichvili’s Resignation

In a joint appeal made on October 18, the Parliamentary Committees for Foreign Relations and Integration into Europe requested Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli to raise the issue of Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili’s accountability in a recent incident.

The request was made after a hearing of Salome Zourabichvili at the joint session of the two Committees, where the Foreign Minister tried to respond to the criticism which was voiced towards the Foreign Ministry by the leading parliamentarians from the ruling National Movement party recently.

The appeal to the Prime Minister accuses the Foreign Ministry of “negligence,” because of the Ministry’s delay in submitting to the Parliament international conventions for ratification.

Parliamentarians also criticized the Foreign Ministry for a lack of communication between the Ministry and Georgian Embassies abroad.

The appeal of the Parliamentary Committees also says that the Foreign Ministry failed to establish “constructive relations” with the Parliament.

According to the law, in case the Prime Minister ignores the Parliamentary Committees’ appeal, the issue can be discussed at a parliamentary session and lawmakers can again demand that the Prime Minister consider the Foreign Minister’s accountability. If the Prime Minister refuses again, the Parliament can itself impeach Minister with a 2/3 votes.

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