Georgia’s pro-European President Salome Zurabishvili has made a bold statement in an interview with AFP, declaring that she will refuse to hand over her mandate, which is set to expire this year, to a new president until the country holds new parliamentary elections. This announcement comes amidst a deepening political crisis in the Caucasian nation.
Zurabishvili, who has been a vocal advocate for Georgia’s closer ties with the European Union, argues that her „mandate continues“ until the new parliamentary elections are held. The president’s refusal to step down as scheduled is seen as a move to maintain political stability in the country, which has been embroiled in a protracted power struggle between the government and the opposition.
Contentious Political Landscape
The political landscape in Georgia has been increasingly contentious in recent years, with the ruling Georgian Dream party facing mounting criticism from the opposition over issues such as democratic backsliding, economic stagnation, and allegations of government corruption. The decision by President Zurabishvili to extend her stay in office until new parliamentary elections are held is likely to further exacerbate the tensions between the government and the opposition.
Potential Implications
The president’s refusal to hand over power as scheduled could have significant implications for the country’s political future. It remains to be seen how the opposition and the public will respond to this move, and whether it will lead to further political instability or a resolution of the ongoing crisis. The international community, which has been closely monitoring the situation in Georgia, is likely to closely follow these developments and may intervene to help facilitate a peaceful transition of power.
