Besides Russia, there are four other international subjects that do not recognize the jurisdiction of the Georgian government over 20% of the country's territory, and there are also extremist forces inside the country that do not recognize the jurisdiction of the Georgian government over 100% of Georgia's territory. In one case, we have the Law on Occupation, and now a second law is being adopted that will counter sabotage and extremism against the constitutional order, – this is what Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated in relation to the legislative initiative concerning the legitimacy of state institutions.

According to him, the 2024 elections were conducted in an absolutely legitimate manner, and when there is no evidence to support claims in the opposite direction, yet sabotage continues, legislation must counter it.

“We have a constitutional order, a constitutional system, which must be strictly protected. This is ensured by the Constitution, and legislation must additionally ensure it. If the actions of specific individuals threaten the country's constitutional order, in that case, the legislation must take effect.

Besides Russia, there are four other international subjects that do not recognize the jurisdiction of the Georgian government over 20% of the country's territory, and there are also extremist forces inside the country that do not recognize the jurisdiction of the Georgian government over 100% of Georgia's territory. In one case, we have the Law on Occupation, which counters the first problem; now a second law is being adopted – amendments to the Criminal Code – that will counter the second problem: sabotage and extremism against the constitutional order. First of all, when it comes to the legitimacy of elections, you remember how the processes unfolded – first in 2020, then in 2024, and before that in 2016 the same processes took place. In 2020, they claimed that the elections had been falsified, and then the entire opposition ‘surrendered’ in the supposedly ‘falsified parliament’ when they signed the so-called ‘Michel Agreement.’ It turned out that the elections had not been falsified, nor was the parliament fake. The same thing is happening in the case of 2024. The OSCE/ODIHR said that the elections were competitive and that the elections took place. After the elections, the OSCE/ODIHR spoke about established institutions and an established parliament – this was stated very clearly. The elections were held legitimately; when you have no evidence whatsoever regarding the falsification of the elections and yet you continue sabotage and continue extremism against the constitutional order, legislation must counter this,” – stated Kobakhidze.

When asked whether the legislative initiative related to the issue of legitimacy would affect opposition leaders, Kobakhidze explained that a criminal norm cannot be discriminatory and cannot distinguish between a politician and a non-politician.

“Criminal norms do not distinguish between politicians and non-politicians; here we are talking about citizens of Georgia who commit the relevant actions. Accordingly, naturally, a criminal norm cannot be discriminatory and cannot distinguish between a politician and a non-politician,” – stated Kobakhidze.

In response to another question – whether imprisonment could threaten Salome Zourabichvili, who says that today’s government is illegitimate – the Prime Minister noted that he cannot speak about specific surnames.

“I cannot tell you anything about any surname; decisions regarding surnames are made by the relevant agency. Ultimately, the decision is made by the court,” – stated Irakli Kobakhidze.