Georgian president refuses to resign after Constitutional Court ruling

TBILISI. Oct 16 (Interfax) - Georgia's President Salome Zourabichvili has no intention of resigning from her office after the Constitutional Court ruled on Monday that she violated the country's constitution.

"I am not going anywhere, I am staying put," Zourabichvili told journalists on Monday.

The ruling will damage the country's international standing, leaving Georgia with "not one independent institution outside that of the president," she said.

"Let no one lose hope, together we shall be able to hold fair elections next year. I will also go to parliament where some intend to launch an impeachment against the president. I would advise our MPs against participating in the impeachment vote," Zourabichvili said.

On Monday, Georgia's Constitutional Court found that the president's foreign trips to European capitals without prior consultation with the government were unconstitutional.

After the ruling, Zourabichvili must step down voluntarily, ruling Georgian Dream party leader Irakli Kobakhidze said.

This week, the party will propose a parliamentary vote on impeachment, which is unlikely to be carried out though because Georgian Dream lacks the necessary number of votes, Kobakhidze told journalists.