Georgian President calls for dialogue or warns of “regime collapse”

President Salome Zourabichvili has renewed her call for dialogue with the ruling Georgian Dream party and its founder, Bidzina Ivanishvili, urging him to meet with political stakeholders or directly with her. In a video address released by the presidential administration on Monday evening, Zourabichvili also presented an alternative plan if dialogue fails: the dismantling of the current regime.

“They don’t like it when I speak about dialogue and compromise. They label us radicals while presenting the other side as the ‘doves of peace.’ Dialogue should be with me, as a mediator and participant in the electoral process,” the President stated.

She proposed meeting with Ivanishvili, even one-on-one: “If he comes alone, that’s fine—I will be alone too. There’s very little time left; this crisis can’t wait. If he comes to the understanding that we must preserve this country and bring stability, we should meet this week, before December 29.”

However, Zourabichvili outlined her plan if Ivanishvili refuses dialogue: “If no compromise or dialogue is reached by December 29, we will still move toward elections—but through the collapse of this regime. This regime is already crumbling. Every day, new segments of society, officials, and businesses are joining the protest. Not those who met with [Prime Minister] Kobakhidze today, but the rest of Georgia’s business sector, deeply concerned about our financial stability and the country’s direction.”

She emphasized that the regime’s disintegration is inevitable if compromise isn’t reached: “Either dialogue, compromise, and concessions happen, or the regime collapses. This isn’t the work of any so-called war party or any outside force—it’s the result of those in power failing to act in time.”

As part of her alternative plan, Zourabichvili proposed forming a council to manage the interim period and prepare for new elections. She assured the public of her readiness as President to fulfill her role: “I will not relinquish my legitimacy or my role as the representative of this country.”