The pro-EU President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili said on Saturday that she will stay in her post until “legitimate Presidential elections are held from a legitimately elected Parliament,” following days of protests against the government’s decision to freeze EU integration talks for four years.
In an interview for the BBC, Zourabichvili said that she will remain president despite the decision from the newly-elected government to replace her on December 14, reiterating calls for new elections.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze rejected calls for new elections stating that the government has been fully formed following the October 26 parliamentary elections. He added that his party is “still committed to European integration,” despite several resignations from ambassadors and hundreds of civil servants in protest against his decision to halt EU talks.
US State Department released a statement on Saturday announcing the suspension of the Strategic Partnership with Georgia in condemnation of the excessive force used against protesters. The decision stated that Georgian Dream’s actions violate the partnership’s basic principles, namely “commitment to democracy, rule of law, civil society, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and anti-corruption efforts.” Signed in 2009, the partnership provides cooperation and aid in democratic governance, defense, energy, and trade.
On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for new elections in the country, condemning the October elections as neither free nor fair, representing yet another manifestation of the continued democratic backsliding of the country.” The parliament called for the EU to impose sections and limit formal contacts with the Georgian government, calling its approach against aspirations of Euro-Atlantic integration.
This is the fourth day of protest in Georgia, triggered by the country’s controversial October 26 parliamentary elections, largely seen as a referendum on the country’s EU path. Since then, the opposition has boycotted the parliament and led the protests, accusing of rigged elections through Russian interference.
The EU granted Georgia candidate status in December 2023 but put the accession on hold following the passage of a “foreign influence” law, which requires companies and non-governmental organizations to disclose their funding source if they receive more than 20 percent of their income from foreign countries. The law has been largely seen as a “Russian-style” method of suppressing freedom of speech.
