Representation in International Relations, Impeachment of the President of Georgia, and European Integration

Abstract The 2017–2018 constitutional reform amended the Constitution of Georgia and changed the political system of the country. The president has the responsibility to represent the country in international relations, but only with the approval of the government. Constitutional norms are not specific, leaving room for different interpretations. Article 78 of the Constitution obliges constitutional bodies to use all measures for European integration. Under this constitutional obligation, the president met with European colleagues, though without governmental approval. This provoked the ruling party to initiate the process of impeachment. The Constitutional Court of Georgia concluded that the president breached the Constitution, but the parliament could not impeach the president. The paper analyses the role of presidential representation in international relations and its constitutional responsibility in the light of Georgia’s European aspirations.