Zurabishvili refuses to leave presidential palace after termination of office
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili said she will not leave the presidential palace after her term expires on December 29.
"I am not leaving anywhere. I am not going to leave anyone. I am always asked about this. I will stay here," Zurabishvili said during her televised address.
By the evening of December 13, opposition supporters were again gathering near the Georgian parliament, Izvestia correspondent Alexei Poltoranin reports from the scene. The footage also shows police officers near the protesters.
On December 9, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin noted that the policy of the Georgian leadership, which aims to protect the country's national interests, causes "heartburn" in the United States and the European Union. The diplomat believes that Western attacks on Tbilisi and further imposition of sanctions are likely to continue.
Protests are underway in Georgia over the suspension of negotiations on European integration and the opposition's disagreement with the results of the parliamentary elections. Protesters tried to set fire to the Georgian parliament building and damaged dozens of offices, and law enforcement agencies had to use tear gas.
Earlier, on December 3, the Constitutional Court of Georgia did not accept the lawsuit of President Zurabishvili demanding to recognize the violation of the principles of universal and secret voting on October 26 at the parliamentary elections in the country. It was specified that the decision is final and is not subject to appeal or review.
Prior to that, on November 30, Zurabishvili said that she would not give up her powers. In her opinion, the parliament of the new convocation is illegitimate, so her powers will continue after the end of her mandate. In response, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze warned that she would have to leave office by law on December 29.
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