The President of Georgia has given the government one week to schedule new elections.

The President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, has given the government a week to schedule new parliamentary elections. She made this announcement during a rally near the presidential residence on Sunday, December 22, reports 1tv.ge.

“Let Ivanishvili (the founder of the ruling party 'Georgian Dream', Bidzina Ivanishvili – ed.) come to the palace, as he is in charge of everything, and I am ready to sit down and discuss how to properly schedule the elections; the election date must be agreed upon by December 29,” the president stated, adding that she awaits Ivanishvili's response.

During Salome Zourabichvili's speech, the sound from her microphone was cut off. In response, she promised to record her full address to the Georgian people from the presidential palace on December 23.

Zourabichvili also declared that she is and will be the president of all the Georgian people.

“I remain faithful to the country, to the Constitution, to which I took an oath six years ago. This Constitution, which has been trampled upon but has endured, just like Georgia stands strong. I can only continue to be loyal to it. I will be loyal to the Georgian army, its veterans, who came here today, to the army that defends Georgia, and I remain faithful to the partners who created, equipped, and strengthened the Georgian army. I am and will be its Supreme Commander. I am and will be loyal to these people standing here, but not only to you; let no one think otherwise, I am the president of all – I am and will be,” the president said.

It is worth noting that on November 28, the Georgian government announced its refusal to negotiate EU membership until 2028 and any budget grants from the EU. Following this announcement, mass protests erupted in Georgia in support of the country's European course.

Additionally, December 29 marks the end of Salome Zourabichvili's presidential term. On December 22, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that Salome Zourabichvili would have to resign from the presidency on December 29. He warned that if she refused to leave the presidential palace voluntarily on that day, she could face imprisonment. The next president of Georgia was recently elected by the electoral college as former football player Mikheil Kavelashvili.