Zourabichvili rules out leaving Georgia, vows to continue political fight

Former President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili has stated that she does not plan to leave the country and will continue to represent Georgia internationally.

“They [the Georgian authorities] do not represent the country abroad because they are recognized by almost no one except Russia, Iran, and a few other countries, but none of the major European countries or American partners. Three months have passed [since the elections], and no one has recognized it, which is de facto non-recognition,” Zourabichvili said during an interview at the Atlantic Council in Washington, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"Whether the [U.S.] passes a law [on Georgia] or not is important, but the reality that allows me to continue representing the country is what matters. This is what I want to be supported in – to continue working in Georgia and not be forced to leave the country like some others who had to leave and were recognized afterwards,"

Zourabichvili noted, she is waiting for support from international partners, which will be reflected in how they treat her as a "representative of the Georgian people."

On December 29, the inauguration of the sixth President of Georgia, Mikheil Kavelashvili, took place in the Georgian Parliament. He was elected for a five-year term on December 14 by an electoral college. These were the first indirect presidential elections in Georgia. Alongside the inauguration, Zourabichvili addressed her supporters in the courtyard of the presidential residence, announcing that she was leaving it but would continue the political struggle. Zourabichvili did not recognize the results of the parliamentary elections on October 26 and considers herself the only legitimate president. On January 9, she presented her new office in downtown Tbilisi.

By Khagan Isayev