Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili addressed a crowd of citizens gathered on Rustaveli Avenue. Her speech, which was reportedly delayed due to a technical issue, included an announcement that she was expecting Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of the Georgian Dream, at the Orbeliani Palace to discuss the scheduling of new parliamentary elections.
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This is a very symbolic place where I am standing now, before you. Here, in this school, my father studied. Behind me, Ilia and Akaki are watching over us, witnessing the new Georgia that has already been born - with you. This Georgia, which in the near future, will be a very strong and European country. No one can stop this!
It is true that there are "some 300 people" here. It is true that we were arrested for the stage and the microphones - everything that could be done, and twice. It is true that they promised me I would soon be behind bars, but are we afraid? We are not afraid, because only love reigns here. Whoever says that confrontation with anyone is born here is spreading another lie among many. Only peace, love, and freedom reign here.
Among the many marches today, there was one very important one - the Antsukhilidze March. It is to Antsukhilidze that I owe, and you owe, loyalty to the Georgia for which he gave his life.
Alongside Antsukhilidze, there are many heroes for whom we stand here. Otherwise, we would not be here, Georgia would not be here, but Georgia never gives up. Georgia never gives up when it is right. And Georgia is right, and you are right.
I want to tell you what we will do, and first of all, what I will do.
I remain loyal to that country, to that constitution, to which I swore an oath six years ago. This constitution, which has been trampled underfoot, but still stands, just as Georgia stands. And I can only continue to be loyal to it.
I will be loyal to the Georgian army, to the veterans who are here today, and to the army that defends Georgia, which itself is loyal to the partners who created, equipped, and strengthened the Georgian army. I am, and will be, its Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
I am, and will be, loyal to the people who are here, but not only to these people. Let no one think that I am not everyone’s president - I am, and will be!" said Salome Zourabichvili, after which the microphone was turned off. She continued her speech using a megaphone.
As Salome Zourabichvili stated, she will deliver her address tomorrow evening from the Orbeliani Palace. “Here, not only the stage, but it seems my voice has been arrested,” she remarked.
President Zurabishvili stated that the parliamentary elections “not only did not take place,” but “are not recognized by anyone,” and that Georgia has an “illegitimate, unconstitutional government.”
“In every democratic country that wants to emerge from a deep crisis through political means, there are new elections.
Therefore, I, who am here and will remain here, invite Ivanishvili, I invite his party... Kobakhidze, Papuashvili, and anyone else you wish... I invite the parties that participated in the elections, and I invite the organizations that monitored the elections. Come to the Orbeliani Palace. Come and let’s talk. But there is only one thing to discuss - when and how to hold the elections. There is little time for this conversation.
If he wants everything to end well in this country, he must come to the palace.
Ivanishvili should come, because he is in charge of everything. I am ready to sit down and discuss how to schedule the elections. But the date for scheduling the elections must be agreed upon by December 29.
Before the 29th, we all have a great opportunity to move this country forward, so that this country becomes an example of democracy, reconciliation, and progress for the whole world. I am waiting for an answer,” Zourabichvili said.
Tens of thousands of people gathered on Rustaveli Avenue today to demand new parliamentary elections.
Salome Zourabichvili’s speech, which was scheduled for 9:00 p.m. in front of the parliament building, began 50 minutes late, in front of the First Gymnasium. The Ministry of Internal Affairs did not grant permission to set up a stage in front of the parliament. Additionally, activists reported that the vehicle carrying the stage and technical equipment to Rustaveli Avenue was stopped by police and taken to a parking lot. The equipment needed for Zourabichvili's speech was brought to Rustaveli Avenue in another vehicle and with the help of citizens.
