Georgian PM warns Zurabishvili to step down

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili will have to leave the Presidential Palace in Tbilisi on the day of the inauguration of the new head of state at the end of December. As Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on December 1, the incumbent leader will have to do so despite her threats that she is not going to resign.

"I understand her (Zurabishvili. - Ed.) emotional situation. However, of course, on December 29 she will have to leave her residence and cede this building to the legitimately elected president," Kobakhidze said at a briefing.

He also added that any violation of the law by politicians who hide in their offices under the encouragement of violent groups will be punished.

"I want to urge everyone to be calm and respect the law. I remind everyone that any violation will be punished to the full extent of the law. They will not escape responsibility," the Rustavi2 TV channel quoted the Prime Minister as saying.

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Earlier, on November 30, Zurabishvili, who did not recognize the results of the parliamentary elections in the country, said in an address to the nation that she does not intend to give up her powers despite the expiration of her mandate. She noted that the current parliament is "illegitimate", so there will be no inauguration at the end of December and her powers will continue even after the end of her mandate.

After the rally, Zurabishvili's supporters completely blocked Rustaveli Avenue, where the country's parliament building is located, with barricades of trash cans and benches. It was also reported that the protesters painted the walls of the government building black.

For several days protests of the opposition, which disagrees with the results of the parliamentary elections held in Georgia on October 26, have not subsided. On November 18, President Salome Zurabishvili did not recognize the results of the elections and called for their re-run. The politician called on the citizens of the state to continue protests against the results of the parliamentary elections.

According to the CEC, the Georgian Dream won the parliamentary elections. At the same time, three opposition political forces - United National Movement, Coalition for Change and Strong Georgia - refused to recognize the election results.

On November 26, Georgian Dream MP Shota Khabareli told Izvestia that the ruling party is open to dialog with opposition partners, but they rule out cooperation with radicals. On 28 November, the Georgian parliament approved Irakli Kobakhidze as the country's prime minister.