Zurabishvili again refused to surrender her mandate after December 29

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili reiterated in an interview with Swiss newspaper Temps on Tuesday, December 17, that she will not surrender her mandate after her presidential term ends on December 29.

"Yes, nothing has changed," she said.

The Georgian leader said she has no intention to resign early and will remain in office until the next parliamentary elections. She called on the EU to support the opposition protests and announced a complete break in contacts with the ruling Georgian Dream party.

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Georgia's presidential election was held on December 14. For the first time in the country's history, not citizens, but a panel of 300 electors voted for a candidate for the post of head of state. Thus, according to the voting results, the candidate of the Georgian Dream party Mikhail Kavelashvili won. He received 200 votes. Zurabishvili, in turn, refused to step down as head of state.

On December 15, Kavelashvili pointed to Georgia's desire to join the EU and preserve its values. He emphasized that it makes no sense for the country to join any association without respecting its own interests.

At the same time, protests continue 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. Law enforcers used tear gas.