Official announcements from the Georgian government or credible international news agencies

Georgia's Zourabichvili Refuses to Step Down as Protests Reject New President Kavelashvili

Dec 29, 2024, 07:34 AM

Salome Zourabichvili, Georgia's pro-Western president, is refusing to step down as her six-year term ends, declaring herself the last legitimate leader resisting Russian influence. Large-scale protests are occurring across Georgia, marking a month of continuous demonstrations, with citizens forming "Chains of Unity" in major cities, including Tbilisi and Batumi, to demand new parliamentary elections and a return to European integration. Tens of thousands are participating in these pro-European protests. Protesters gathered at the presidential palace, where Zourabichvili addressed them before leaving the residence, stating she was "taking legitimacy" with her. Despite the protests, Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former football player seen as pro-Russian and a hardline critic of the West, has been inaugurated as Georgia's new president amid tight security and controversy. Protesters showed "red cards" to Kavelashvili, symbolizing their rejection of his presidency. The outgoing president and protesters do not recognize the legitimacy of Kavelashvili's presidency, leading to a significant political crisis in the country.