Georgia’s President calls October general elections “decisive” for country’s fate

President Salome Zourabichvili of Georgia on Thursday labelled the upcoming October general elections as “decisive” for the country’s future, emphasising the “pivotal choice” facing Georgian society amidst heightened political tensions.

 

“This is the choice of the fate of the country, the choice of our future,” President Zourabichvili declared during her address at the launch of the Choose Europe civil movement. She highlighted the “absence of regular elections” this year, framing the upcoming polls as more than just a routine electoral process.

 

“100 days is both a little and a lot for the society to have its say,” President Zourabichvili remarked, suggesting that the timeframe would be critical for shaping the nation’s direction. She stressed that these elections were not mere campaigns, stating firmly, “This is a referendum.”

 

Drawing a line between Georgian society and the government, Zourabichvili criticised what she described as the government’s usurpation of the nation’s future. “Georgian society is on one side, on the other side is the government, which has usurped our future. We can’t agree on that! Let’s unite,” she urged, calling for adherence to the charter that political parties have signed or are yet to endorse.The official also outlined the “urgent need” to break free from stagnation and restore international partnerships. “We have no other way, we have no other alternative,” she asserted, underscoring the necessity for unity and action.