Salome Zourabichvili, the first female president of Georgia, is at the forefront of a political storm sweeping the country. Following disputed elections in October, the ruling Georgian Dream party, perceived as pro-Russia, has faced criticism from Zourabichvili and the opposition for alleged voter intimidation and electoral fraud.
The European Union has called for a rerun of the elections, which the Georgian Dream party has rejected, sparking widespread protests. Zourabichvili, in an interview with Euronews, condemned the current government as illegitimate, stating that the population, opposition parties, and international observers do not recognize the election results.
The unrest in Georgia has seen protests spread across all cities, with even businesses showing dissent. Zourabichvili emphasizes the need for stability through new elections to restore legitimacy and ensure Georgia’s European path.
Zourabichvili also discusses the role of Georgia’s security forces and the justice system. The police are seen as siding with the citizens, while the army remains pro-Western. Zourabichvili believes the current situation in Georgia is a result of Russia’s strategic efforts to influence former Soviet countries.
Despite some parallels with the Euromaidan protests in Ukraine, she notes that Georgia’s unique character and historical experiences shape the current challenges. Zourabichvili calls for an understanding of Russia’s hybrid strategy in different countries and urges European partners to support Georgia’s democratic aspirations.
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Photo credit www.euronews.com
