Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili confirmed she does not plan to leave her Tbilisi residence and opposes the inauguration of Mikheil Kavelashvili as the country’s new head of state.
Georgia is facing political turmoil after the ruling Georgian Dream party suspended EU membership talks in late November, raising fears of a pro-Russian policy shift. Critics accuse the government of undermining Georgia’s European aspirations, while tensions have escalated with allegations of opposition crackdowns and growing international criticism.
Zourabichvili’s announcement comes ahead of Sunday’s inauguration of Mikheil Kavelashvili, elected as Georgia’s sixth president by a ruling party-controlled electoral college on December 14, a process rejected by opposition parties.
"Greetings from Orbeliani Palace. I am here, I will stay here, and I will spend the night here," Zourabichvili said in a statement. She plans to address the nation at 10 a.m. local time on Sunday, an hour before the inauguration ceremony, to outline her future plans.
Zourabichvili and opposition parties have condemned Kavelashvili’s election, citing a lack of fairness in the process dominated by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Public dissatisfaction has also fueled anti-government protests, with thousands of Georgians calling for new parliamentary elections and rejecting the results of October’s elections due to reported irregularities.
Protests have been ongoing since November 28, following the government’s controversial decision to suspend talks on joining the European Union until 2028. Demonstrators demand the resumption of EU accession negotiations, viewing the delay as a betrayal of Georgia’s European aspirations.
Zourabichvili’s announcement comes ahead of Sunday’s inauguration of Mikheil Kavelashvili, elected as Georgia’s sixth president by a ruling party-controlled electoral college on December 14, a process rejected by opposition parties.
"Greetings from Orbeliani Palace. I am here, I will stay here, and I will spend the night here," Zourabichvili said in a statement. She plans to address the nation at 10 a.m. local time on Sunday, an hour before the inauguration ceremony, to outline her future plans.
Zourabichvili and opposition parties have condemned Kavelashvili’s election, citing a lack of fairness in the process dominated by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Public dissatisfaction has also fueled anti-government protests, with thousands of Georgians calling for new parliamentary elections and rejecting the results of October’s elections due to reported irregularities.
Protests have been ongoing since November 28, following the government’s controversial decision to suspend talks on joining the European Union until 2028. Demonstrators demand the resumption of EU accession negotiations, viewing the delay as a betrayal of Georgia’s European aspirations.
More In Politics MORE...
