Georgian parliament begins impeachment proceedings against President Zourabichvili

TBILISI. Oct 18 (Interfax) - The Georgian parliament has launched impeachment proceedings against President Salome Zourabichvili with a debate on the president's breach of the constitution, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said.

"President Salome Zourabichvili has been invited to the parliament hearing. The issue will be put to a vote after the impeachment debate is over," Papuashvili told reporters on Wednesday.

The presidential administration released a statement expressing its protest, noting that the discussion of such an important issue as the president's impeachment had been limited to a regular parliament meeting, to which diplomats accredited in Georgia were not invited.

Zourabichvili "has flagrantly breached the constitution and this could not have passed unnoticed," leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party Irakli Kobakhidze told reporters.

The possibility to impeach Zourabichvili "is practically zero," considering that the parliamentary majority does not have enough votes to do so, he said.

Parliamentary opposition members refused to vote, and described the ruling party's impeachment motion as "a circus show" and attempt to overshadow many of Georgia's domestic and external problems.

Earlier this week, the Georgian Constitutional Court upheld Georgian Dream's motion regarding Zourabichvili's violation of Article 52 of the constitution on the president's status and powers, which prohibits the president from paying foreign visits without the government's consent. Zourabichvili visited Germany, France and the European Union in August-September to meet with their leaders.