In a dramatic showdown in Georgia, President Salome Zourabichvili has declared she will not vacate her office when her term ends next month, insisting the parliament that elected her successor is “illegitimate.” This bold stance comes amid escalating tensions as thousands of Georgians flood the streets for a third consecutive night, protesting against the government's abrupt halt to EU accession talks. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement has ignited fury, with demonstrators clashing with police, throwing fireworks, and even erecting barricades in the capital, Tbilisi.
Zourabichvili, a vocal critic of the ruling Georgian Dream party, claims the October 26 election, which saw her opponents win with 54% of the vote, was marred by fraud. “There is no legitimate parliament, and therefore, an illegitimate parliament cannot elect a new president,” she stated emphatically, asserting her mandate continues until a legitimate parliament is formed. The unrest has escalated, with the Interior Ministry reporting 107 arrests during the protests, where riot police responded with water cannons and tear gas.
International Reactions and Rising Tensions
The situation has drawn international attention, with the US State Department suspending its strategic partnership with Georgia, condemning the excessive force used against peaceful protesters. “We condemn excessive force used against Georgians rightfully protesting this betrayal of their constitution,” stated spokesperson Matthew Miller. The prime minister has warned that the opposition's actions could lead to a revolution akin to Ukraine’s 2014 Maidan protests, asserting, “In Georgia, the Maidan scenario cannot be realised.”
As the political crisis deepens, the future of Georgia's EU aspirations hangs in the balance. The prime minister's pivot towards closer ties with Russia has raised alarms, with critics pointing to laws against “foreign agents” and LGBTQ rights as significant roadblocks to EU membership. The stakes are high as Georgia navigates this turbulent political landscape, with the potential for further unrest looming on the horizon.
