Fifth President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, to give evidence on Russian disinformation

This session will help to inform the Committee’s inquiry into disinformation, and the threat that disinformation poses to democracies worldwide. Ms Zourabichvili will appear virtually.

This session will focus on disinformation in the context of Russian interference and the disputed October 2024 Georgian election.  

Ms Zourabichvili began her career in diplomacy, before entering Georgian politics in 2004. In 2018, Ms Zourabichvili ran as an independent candidate and was elected as Georgia’s first female President. In 2023, the ruling Georgian Dream party moved impeachment proceedings against Ms Zourabichvili, accusing her of breaching the Constitution by conducting unauthorised visits to European capitals advocating for Georgia’s EU Membership. The impeachment failed.  

Georgia held Parliamentary elections in October 2024, during which international election monitors reported incidents of voter intimidation and irregularities. 

In December 2024, Mikheil Kavelashvili was inaugurated as the Sixth President of Georgia. Ms Zourabichvili continues to claim she remains the legitimate Georgian President and is supported by many in Georgia as well as international voices. 

In the session, Members will explore Georgian politics and the country’s ties with Russia. Questions are likely to focus on reports of hybrid warfare by Russia in Georgia and the propagation of anti-Western narratives. Members are likely to discuss potential tools for countering Russian disinformation, particularly how European allies can work together to support countries targeted by Russia. 

2pm, Tuesday 1 April:  

• Salome Zourabichvili – Fifth President of Georgia [appearing virtually]

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

Image: House of Commons