The President of Georgia, Mme. Salome Zourabichvili delivered her annual report to the Parliament at the extraordinary session, covering all the key issues concerning the situation in the country.

Prior to the Report, President Zourabichvili declared her solidarity to Ukraine and observed a minute of silence in commemoration of the victims of the Bucha massacre. According to her, this day for her Report was selected in a symbolic manner: “March 31 is the most important historical date for us since it is the day when the Georgian national resolved their future through the referendum. „The will of the Georgian people has been fulfilled” – these are the words when Zviad Gamsakhurdia declared the restoration of independence of Georgia on April 9. He managed to unify the nation around this goal and resolutely drive the country to its own way. And I opted on this very day for my Report inasmuch as Georgia still faces the crucial choice, like many years ago, when the national interest required the courage of the then Government, our current national interest requires from our Government all actions necessary to take the country to a safe haven. On March 31 and April 9, the Government served for the national interest of the Georgian people and the country and today, the national interest and the will of the people are in conformity, and our goal is clearly outlined – it is our European future! And today, the Government needs to fulfill the will of the Georgian nation, since it is the very reason that the Georgian people granted the mandates to you, this is why you are here!”

The President overviewed the period of the authority of the Georgian Dream and estimated that the political force assuming the authority with the European and democratic values derived from its key values, its mandate and the will of the electors by its rhetoric and steps that we witness for the last 2 years.

Mme. Zourabichvili gave a critical estimation to a number of the Laws and the governmental decisions adopted through expedited order and assessed that these very actions enhance the single-party system instead of the state institutions as the milestone of the national democracy. According to her, it fails to serve for the empowerment of the country and the welfare of the population. Per the President, the judicial reform which is so crucial for our future encountered a dead end.

The President touched upon the EU recommendations stating that there is nothing unfamiliar in the recommendations and thus, they pose no threat of alienation; the EU recommendations constitute merely the echo of our traditional values. S. Zourabichvili dwelt on her role and underlined that the “President is the Head of the State and the safeguard for the national unity and independence”.

“In such a situation, I have fully acknowledged the power of the Presidential institution and am well aware that it is no time for division and confrontations. I intend to fully realize all my powers to ensure the maximal protection and fulfillment of the will of the people. It requires the full consolidation and unification of the country. Today, we all face the choice, - the Government, which still has a chance to resume to its mandate and the society which shall keep stability – otherwise, we will lose all the chances. I decided to get actively engaged in this process and facilitate the consolidation to jointly achieve tangible outcomes, leading to the EU candidacy. I assume this responsibility as I am the President of all and not the President of any of the sides or parties, but the President of the Georgian people. We shall not lose our chance and if we succeed, then we will be able to declare: “this is the day when the will of the Georgian nation has been fulfilled”.

After the Report, the floor was given to the Chairs of the Factions and the Political Groups pursuant to the Rules of Procedure.

The plenary session was attended by Government members, diplomatic corps, Heads of the Autonomous Republics, the Chair of the Constitutional Court, clergymen and the international organizations.