Georgia’s President calls for new parliamentary elections amid ongoing crisis

Georgia’s President, Salome Zurabishvili, has called for new parliamentary elections as the only viable solution to the ongoing political crisis in the country.

Addressing the media on Monday, she emphasized that the crisis has been exacerbated by protests that erupted following the October 26 parliamentary elections.

The protests, fueled by the government's decision to suspend European Union accession talks until 2028, have continued to grow. Zurabishvili expressed strong criticism of the government’s actions, stating that the political situation in the country has reached a boiling point.

“The only way out of this crisis is through the renewal of the elections,” Zurabishvili said during a press conference. She added that dialogue with the government is urgently needed and called for talks to be held by December 29 to agree on a new election date, warning that the situation must not escalate further.

“If no compromise is reached and dialogue fails, the alternative is regime collapse before the elections,” she stated.

The president’s call for fresh elections comes as tensions rise between her and the government. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze responded on Sunday, asserting that Zurabishvili must leave office by December 29. Kobakhidze warned the president that failure to comply with his demand could result in legal consequences, including potential imprisonment.

Zurabishvili, in her remarks, reiterated her stance on the need for new elections and expressed her willingness to negotiate the matter with Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party.

The political turmoil in Georgia intensified after the government announced its suspension of EU accession talks on November 28, a move that sparked widespread protests, particularly in the capital, Tbilisi.

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