President on New Elections: The Collapse of the Regime is the Alternative. Or Dialogue, Compromise

“The dialogue should be with me, not with individual representatives of different segments of society, which, of course, is not forbidden and may even be beneficial. However, the dialogue on these issues should be with me as the mediator, and with those who participated in the elections, who observed them, and who know exactly what the conditions were and how the elections were violated. To address this, on the other hand, Ivanishvili and I don’t know how many representatives of the party he appointed would like to come... In principle, even if he comes alone, it’s fine. Then I will be alone, and we will talk,” said Salome Zourabichvili.

According to her, there is very little time left for dialogue because “this crisis is not going to last much longer.”

“This week, until the 29th, I am ready and will accept it in any format. Let’s agree, and it will be very easy. [...]

If not, the second option is that we will still get to the elections, but we will get to the elections by overthrowing the regime. There is no other way.

This regime is already collapsing, and it seems that every day, new segments of society, new officials from various fields, and new businesses are joining the protest. Not those who came to Kobakhidze today, but the rest - the large army of Georgian businesses that do not have close ties with Russia. They are very worried, very concerned, and see where the country is heading and where our financial stability is heading, especially in a situation where sanctions have already been imposed, and the National Bank does not budge and continues its completely unheard-of policy.

The collapse of the regime - this is an alternative. Or dialogue, compromise, and concession. Everything will not go as the Dream believes. Concessions are needed, some things need to be recognized, but a compromise is possible. If not, then this is the collapse of the regime, which is collapsing on its own. No one has a hand in this - neither the war party, nor the Ghomi party. No one has interfered. It is your hand, those of you in power, because you did not come to your senses in time and did not see how to treat this country and how to maintain trust in you,” Zourabichvili said.

She further stated that if she does not receive a response to her offer soon, the second stage will begin, and for this, “we must all be ready.” Salome Zourabichvili also announced the creation of a council whose mandate will be to prepare for new elections.

“Tomorrow, probably, a document will be ready that outlines all the conditions that are the minimum requirements for holding elections very quickly. Then, we will work to demand, prepare, and be ready ourselves from all angles and in all possible directions. Because these new elections will truly be new elections. Probably, new forces will emerge, and we must be ready for all of this,” the president said.

Salome Zourabichvili also responded to the illegitimate Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who threatened her with arrest if she calls for new elections or does not leave the Orbeliani Palace after December 29.

“Some people think they will scare me, they speak to me with threats, and I think they still do not know me. [...] I am very grateful, I hear from society and many different groups - ‘Well, let’s protect the president,’ but I am not defensible. I am not afraid either, and we will see where I will be and how I will be after the 29th. But I will be what I am. The president, with all his symbolism, burden, and independence, and this president will be a servant of all of you,” Zourabichvili said.