Zourabichvili vows to free Georgia from Russian influence with Western help, urges protest continuation

The former President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, has told her supporters that she plans to wrest the country of Russia's influence with the help of Western countries. 

Speaking to her supporters in the city of Zugdidi, Zourabichvili announced that she would be attending the inauguration of the newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump, invited by Congressman Joe Wilson, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"From Zugdidi, I will go to Washington, where we have many friends who care deeply about Georgia. They will help us tear Georgia out of the claws of the northern enemy," said the former Georgian leader.

She also urged her supporters to continue street protests in the country so that they would be seen abroad. Zourabichvili emphasized that external help is linked to internal protests.

"External help is interconnected with internal protest," Zourabichvili stated.

Meanwhile, chaos and disagreements are prevailing within the opposition, said Levon Machavariani, a member of the ruling party Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia.

Zura Djaparidze, leader of the Girchi – More Freedom party, criticized the opposition for not having a clear message ahead of the elections regarding the ruling party's slogan that they would not allow war. This prompted a negative response from his ally in the Coalition for Change, Nika Melia, who emphasized that the focus should be on fighting electoral fraud rather than discussing slogans.

"There is typical chaos within the opposition, and the individuals who have grouped together don't have much sympathy for each other even within their own parties," said Machavariani.

He pointed out that among the major opposition forces, including Lelo for Georgia, Coalition for Change, Unity – National Movement, and For Georgia, there are significant disagreements.

"Four radical forces, united under the banner of the 'United National Movement,' find themselves in this difficult situation. They receive instructions from abroad and are not allowed to speak out against them. Of course, there are disagreements," Machavariani added.

To recall, on January 9, Zourabichvili announced that she would continue to serve as president of Georgia. She added that the republic is in the deepest crisis and the way out of it is to hold new parliamentary elections.

Zourabichvili and the Georgian opposition do not recognize the results of the October 26 legislative elections in Georgia, which were won by the ruling Georgian Dream party. In addition, they also do not recognize the election of ex-footballer Mikhail Kavelashvili as the country's president in December 2024.

On January 8, Salome Zourabichvili got a new job at the McCain Institute of the University of Arizona in the United States. Her powers as president of Georgia officially expired at the end of December 2024 after Kavelashvili's inauguration.

By Khagan Isayev