The President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, met with protesters in Tbilisi on Saturday. The protesters were gathered on Rustaveli Avenue, expressing opposition to the parliament’s approval of Mikheil Kavelashvili as president.
Zourabichvili addressed the crowd, wishing them a peaceful evening and calling for restraint during the protests. She also announced that the Christmas tree lighting ceremony would not take place that night. The President emphasized her solidarity with the protesters, stating that she shared their concerns about the election’s legitimacy.
The presidential election, which did not involve direct popular voting for the first time, saw Kavelashvili elected president due to his sole candidacy from the ruling party. However, Zourabichvili disputes the outcome, considering it illegitimate and refusing to recognize its results.
The President urged the protesters to remain united and peaceful, assuring them that provocations would not be tolerated. This meeting marks a rare public engagement by Zourabichvili with the protesters, highlighting her commitment to listening to their concerns and addressing their grievances.
Source: https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/12/14/7489130