Salome Zurabishvili

president of Georgia

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July 21, 2026

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Salome Zurabishvili is the current president of Georgia, serving as the country's first female head of state. She was elected in 2018 as an independent candidate supported by the Georgian Dream (GD) party. Her presidency has seen political polarization, particularly concerning Georgia's relationship with Russia and the European Union.12

Georgia's political framework has evolved, with a new constitution adopted in 1995 establishing a strong presidency. However, amendments in 2013 reduced the president's powers, increasing the role of the prime minister and cabinet. Zurabishvili's tenure has been marked by disputes with the GD party, including an unsuccessful impeachment attempt in 2023, as she pursued closer ties with the EU while the party sought to strengthen relations with Russia.32

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Georgia
GD-backed presidency of Salome Zurabishvili
In the 2018 presidential election Salome Zurabishvili, an independent candidate backed by GD, won in a runoff with 59 percent of the vote and became the country’s first female president. Days before the runoff, Bakhtadze announced that a charity run by Ivanishvili would buy the debts of 600,000 Georgians.
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In the 2018 presidential election Salome Zurabishvili, an independent candidate backed by GD, won in a runoff with 59 percent of the vote and became the country’s first female president. Days before the runoff, Bakhtadze announced that a charity run by Ivanishvili would buy the debts of 600,000 Georgians.
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