Georgia's president says only way out of crisis is new parliamentary elections

Salome Zurabishvili’s remarks came during a news conference on recent developments in the country.

Noting that protests which began following parliamentary elections on Oct. 26 have continued following the government's suspension of accession negotiations with the European Union until 2028, she said protesters are demanding fresh parliamentary elections.

Zurabishvili, who is critical of the government’s decision, said there is a political crisis in the country.

“The only way out of the crisis is the renewal of the elections,” she added.

She called on the government to hold talks with her by Dec. 29 to set a new election date, stressing that the crisis should not escalate further.

Zurabishvili said “if a compromise solution, dialogue, is not reached, there is a second option -- we will go to regime collapse before the elections.”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said Sunday that Zourabichvili must leave office before Dec. 29 with anti-government protests continuing in the South Caucasus nation for almost a month.

“President Zourabichvili will have to leave office on Dec. 29. Let’s see where she continues her life – behind bars or outside. I believe she has enough sense to avoid violating the Criminal Code,” Kobakhidze told a press briefing in the capital, Tbilisi, public broadcaster 1TV reported.

His remarks came a day after Zourabichvili reiterated her call for new elections as well as her readiness to talk about the issue with Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party.

On Nov. 28, Kobakhidze said that Georgia will suspend EU accession talks until 2028, a move that has led to widespread protests across the country, including in the capital.