Salome Zourabichvili leaves a distorted perception of the presidential institution, the leader of the parliamentary majority, Mamuka Mdinaradze, stated.

As he explained, incorrect perceptions of the presidential institution were also created by Salome Zourabichvili’s predecessor.

“Incidentally, when certain criticisms are raised, the root of the criticism itself shows that previous presidents created incorrect perceptions regarding the presidential institution in a parliamentary republic. For instance, we hear criticism about how Kavelashvili would represent foreign affairs or how he could serve as the Commander-in-Chief. First of all, this depends on his personal and professional qualities, but generally speaking, determining and conducting foreign policy is not the president’s role. In a parliamentary republic, foreign policy is defined and executed by the Parliament and implemented by the Government of Georgia. The president only represents foreign policy when granted special authorization by the government. By violating this constitutional principle, Salome Zourabichvili created a false perception and stereotype that foreign policy is the president’s responsibility.

When they talk about the Commander-in-Chief, they imply Mikheil Kavelashvili would be our Commander-in-Chief, but it is mistakenly understood that he would directly manage the military. The president’s role in this regard is largely symbolic and ceremonial. It does not require specialized knowledge of military operations, tactics, or deployment of forces. These false perceptions were established by Salome Zourabichvili and her predecessor.

Even criticizing a candidate based on personal qualities is unfounded, especially when their duties are symbolic or ceremonial. Some people confuse ceremonial powers with real authority. Recently, I’ve been listening to comments from young people and others, and it’s clear that, due to the attitudes and interviews of previous presidents, especially Salome Zourabichvili, people, including the younger generation, have formed false impressions and gained incorrect knowledge about the president's powers and competencies,” Mdinaradze explained.

When a journalist remarked, “It seems Salome Zourabichvili will remain in the Presidential Palace,” and asked what the government’s course of action would be in this scenario, Mdinaradze responded with a question: “Are you saying that citizen Salome Zourabichvili will commit a crime?”

“So, are you suggesting she will usurp power? The presidency is not even a branch of government; it’s a symbolic position. But you’re saying she will seize the presidential institution? Are you saying she will commit a crime? After the inauguration, whether it’s Salome Zourabichvili or someone else, if such a thing were to happen—whether she enters, stays, and refuses to leave—what are you asking me? Are you asking whether citizen Salome Zourabichvili will fortify herself in the Presidential Palace and commit a crime? I think everything is clear,” Mdinaradze concluded.