Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili recently discussed the ongoing wave of unrest in the country in an interview with Euronews. Zourabichvili, Georgia’s first female president, has been a vocal critic of the ruling Georgian Dream party and has refused to recognize their recent election victory, which has been marred by allegations of voter intimidation and bribery.
The European Union and the United States have also condemned the election process and called for new elections to be held. Zourabichvili believes that the current government is illegitimate and has been leading protests with citizens demanding new elections to ensure a stable and legitimate government.
The unrest has spread throughout the country, with protests taking place in cities outside of the capital, Tbilisi. Businesses, civil society, and even elements of the country’s security forces have shown support for the push for new elections.
Zourabichvili highlighted the importance of the EU’s support in demanding new elections and maintaining Georgia’s pro-Western stance. She also emphasized the need for a stable transition period to ensure a legitimate government takes power.
The situation in Georgia has been compared to the Euromaidan protests in Ukraine, but Zourabichvili notes that Georgia’s response to Russia’s influence is unique due to the country’s history with Russian interference. She believes that Russia’s attempts to influence elections in Georgia are part of a broader strategy to expand its influence in the region.
As tensions continue to rise in Georgia, Zourabichvili remains committed to upholding the will of the people and ensuring a transition to a legitimate government through new elections. The support of the EU and the United States is crucial in this process to safeguard Georgia’s democratic future and prevent further destabilization in the region.
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Photo credit www.euronews.com
