Zurabishvili stated her unwillingness to become a new Tikhanovskaia

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili (term of office expires on December 29) said in an interview with TVP World on Thursday, December 19, that she does not intend to become an exiled politician like former Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.

She denied speculation that she plans to flee the country and act from exile. Zurabishvili said she intends to stay in Georgia.

"I need support now in my country, together with its population," the Georgian leader said.

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Earlier, on December 17, the Georgian leader reiterated that she was not going to surrender her mandate on December 29. She noted that she does not intend 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.

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.