Georgia's former President Zourabichvili joins protests in Tbilisi, calls for new elections

Former Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili joined demonstrators on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi on February 25, marking the 104th anniversary of the Soviet occupation of Georgia.

The protest, part of ongoing pro-democracy and pro-EU demonstrations, coincided with the annual Day of Soviet Occupation, when Georgia commemorates the fall of the First Republic to Soviet forces in 1921, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

Speaking in front of the Tbilisi Classical Gymnasium near the Parliament building, Zourabichvili recalled the Georgian cadets who fought against the Red Army in 1921. She warned that history should not repeat itself, saying, “We are standing here… so that 1921 does not repeat itself.” She emphasized the need to resist Russian influence, adding, “We should not let the Russian occupation happen.”

Zourabichvili drew parallels between past and present Russian tactics, accusing Moscow of using disinformation while harbouring aggressive intentions. She also condemned the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) government, arguing that it has failed the country.

Hitting out at the authorities, she declared, “They had tried everything – water cannons, rubber bullets, violence, insults, but everyone is still standing.” She cited ongoing government repression, economic hardships, and the mishandling of a snowstorm in western Georgia as evidence of mismanagement, stating, “This is not government, but the regime.”

Reaffirming her call for new parliamentary elections, Zourabichvili described it as the only peaceful way out of Georgia’s deepening political crisis. “Despite the war that Russia waged, despite the occupation, abductions, economic pressure, we did not relinquish our European path, independence, and freedom,” she said. “And we won’t relinquish them to this internal Russian regime.”

She also announced plans to present a document outlining new election procedures and emphasized the need for strong international oversight. “All of us together should overcome this fraud, prevail over it,” she urged.

By Vugar Khalilov