The Constitutional Court of Georgia has ruled that President Salome Zourabichvili violated the Constitution. The Court announced the verdict in the courtroom earlier this afternoon.

Six out of nine members of the plenum supported the decision. Additionally, the opinions of three members of the plenum—Irina Imerlishvili, Giorgi Kverenchkhiladze, and Teimuraz Tughushi—will be attached to the judgment.

“The Constitutional Court has concluded that President Salome Zourabichvili violated the Constitution by exercising representative authority in foreign relations during her working visits abroad on August 31, September 1 and September 6, 2023, without the consent of the Georgian Government, violating Article 52, Point 1, Subpoint A of the Constitution of Georgia.

The decision is effective immediately upon its publication on the Constitutional Court website, is final, and is not subject to appeal or revision. The dissenting opinion of judges Irine Imerlishvili, Giorgi Kverenchkhiladze, and Teimuraz Tughushi will be attached to the conclusion.

A copy of the conclusion will be sent to the Georgian Parliament, the President, the Government, and the Supreme Court. The conclusion will be immediately published on the Constitutional Court’s website. The full composition of the plenum, consisting of nine members of the Constitutional Court, signed the conclusion,” stated the Constitutional Court Chair Merab Turava.

The 80 MPs filed a constitutional submission on September 12. On October 3, the Constitutional Court initiated substantive consideration of the lawsuit against the President over her alleged breach of the Constitution (Article 52, Point 1, Subpoint A) through her departure on an official visit overseas without the government’s consent. The Court hearing ended on October 5.

Representatives of the President in the Constitutional Court were Tamar Chugoshvili and Maia Kopaleishvili.

Members of the Constitutional Court Plenum are Merab Turava; Eva Gotsiridze; Giorgi Tevdorashvili; Irine Imerlishvili; Giorgi Kverenchkhiladze; Khvicha Kikalishvili; Manana Kobakhidze; Vasil Roinishvili; Teimuraz Tughushi.

Following the Constitutional Court’s decision, the issue of the President’s impeachment will be transferred to the Parliament, where the votes of 100 PMs are needed to resign the President.