Salome Zourabichvili - Georgia’s Last Line of Defense
For weeks, tens of thousands of Georgians have taken to the streets protesting what they see as the erosion of democracy under the ruling Georgian Dream party. The initial wave of demonstrations sparked by allegations of electoral fraud following the October 2024 parliamentary elections, where the ruling Georgian Dream party secured a parliamentary majority.
Founded by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, who made his money primarily in Russia during the post-Soviet privatization era of the 1990s, Georgian Dream has faced persistent allegations of being influenced by Russia. The party denies these claims, but its policies, from the introduction of a “foreign influence” law, that mirrors Russian legislation used to supress dissent and civil society, to its foreign policy stance and elections controversies, tell a different story, one that shows a growing authoritarianism and alignment with Moscow.
Last weekend, a fresh wave of protests began, after Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former footballer-turned-far-right politician, was appointed president by a 300-member Electoral College dominated by Georgian Dream. Kavelashvili, known for his hardline criticism of Western influence, is seen as a setback to Georgia's path of joining the European Union.
Amid political turmoil and mass protest Salome Zourabichvili, Georgia’s outgoing president, and a strong advocate for closer ties with the European Union, faces the end of term on Sunday, December 29.Born in France in 1952, to Georgian émigrés, Zourabichvili pursued a career in diplomacy serving as France’s ambassador to Georgia before entering Georgian politics. In 2004, Zourabichvili was appointed Georgia’s Foreign Minister, where she played a key role in strengthening ties with the European Union and NATO. However, political disagreements led to her dismissal in 2005, prompting her to form the Salome Zourabichvili Movement. She became a member of parliament in 2016.
Elected to the largely ceremonial role of president with the support of Georgian Dream, she lobbied the EU to grant Georgia "candidate membership" status last year, saying the country of 3.7 million people could help ensure security and stability in the Black Sea region. However, soon tensions emerged as Zourabichvili became increasingly critical of the Georgian Dream government. She accused the party of democratic backsliding, judicial interference, undermining free speech, and alignment with Russia’s interests.
By the end of her term, Salome Zourabichvili had distanced herself from the party, becoming one of its most outspoken critics and a champion of pro-democracy protests. She emerged as a symbol of resistance, calling for snap elections and denouncing the legitimacy of the Georgian Dream-led parliament. In a powerful moment on the streets, Zourabichvili stood face-to-face with black-clad, helmeted riot police. Placing her hand on his riot shield she asked him
"Your duty is to protect the statehood of this country and its citizens. It is not your duty to disperse the people. Are you serving Russia or Georgia? Do you not answer to your president? Do you not think about your future, your country, your children, or even your ancestors?"
She insists she will not step down because the parliament formed after the election has no legitimacy to choose her successor. Georgia stands at a crossroads with its democracy hanging in the balance. Nobody knows what comes next for Salome Zourabichvili or Georgia after Sunday.
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Sources:
Who is Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, voice of protest movement? https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/salome-zourabichvili-georgias-president-becomes-voice-protest-movement-2024-12-03/
Can Georgia still find a way out of its crisis? – DW – 12/18/2024
Pro-Russian Georgian Dream holds onto power - Le Monde
Georgia protests to join EU. Here’s what to know. | Vox
Georgia lawmakers elect Western critic as new president | Reuters
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/27/lets-see-who-will-be-leaving-georgias-presidential-standoff-nears-crunch-point
Let’s see who will be leaving’: Georgia’s presidential standoff nears crunch point https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/27/lets-see-who-will-be-leaving-georgias-presidential-standoff-nears-crunch-point