In brief
Zourabichvili, whose presidency has drawn criticism from Georgian Dream, threatens a political crisis by asserting she is the last legitimate leader of the country as she approaches the end of her six-year term.
Salome Zourabichvili, the president of Georgia, is embroiled in a significant political confrontation as her term ends and a new president is set to take office. The 72-year-old leader has announced her refusal to leave, claiming she represents the last remaining legitimate institution within the nation. This Sunday marks the conclusion of her six-year presidency, with Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former Manchester City footballer backed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, poised to take over. Zourabichvili has labeled Kavelashvili’s election—organized through an electoral college and with no competition—as a sham, denouncing the party's actions as a betrayal of Georgia’s sovereignty to Russian interests.Zourabichvili's journey has been marked by a deep-seated dedication to steering Georgia towards Western integration. Born in France to Georgian émigrés, she has held various diplomatic roles, including serving as French ambassador to Georgia. Although she was initially endorsed by Georgian Dream, growing discontent with their policies has led her to advocate for pro-European protests, despite the government’s accusations of her committing a crime by remaining in office after her term.With the Georgian Dream government increasingly suppressing civil liberties and distancing itself from the West—refusing to implement sanctions against Russia post the Ukraine invasion—Zourabichvili has positioned herself as a voice of defiance. Recent tensions peaked when she confronted riot police, questioning their allegiance, in a bid to rally support against the government’s perceived authoritarian turn. While a failed impeachment effort indicated brewing tensions, the government’s moves to initiate Zourabichvili’s departure could present further challenges ahead.Analysts envision a potential escalation, with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze threatening Zourabichvili with arrest, yet some observers speculate the government may aim to avoid a high-profile incident that might martyr her cause. Regardless of the outcome, supporters insist that Zourabichvili is likely to remain a pivotal figure in the opposition against the ruling party, maintaining her stature as the presumed legitimate president of Georgia.
