Gruzija in Turmoil: Parliament excludes Diplomats, President Refuses to Resign
In a series of developments that have sparked political unrest in Tbilisi, the Georgian parliament has barred accredited diplomats from attending the inaugural session, citing a lack of space in the chamber. Meanwhile, President Salome Zurabishvili has refused to step down, deeming the newly elected parliament illegitimate.
The parliamentary building has been under a yellow security alert since Sunday morning, with access restricted. However, journalists are allowed to enter with special accreditation, according to media reports from "Echo Kavkaza".
In an unexpected turn, President Zurabishvili, who had previously expressed her intention to vacate the Presidential Palace, changed her mind on Sunday. "I left this place and took legitimacy with me. Nothing will change, regardless of whether I am in the residence or not," she asserted.
The President, who has consistently maintained that the October 26 elections were fraudulent, claimed that she remains the only legitimate president of Georgia. "This presidential residence was a symbol as long as there was a legitimate president here," Zurabishvili noted.
Addressing her supporters gathered outside the Presidential Palace, the President criticized the ruling party "Gruzini Sapura" (Dream of Georgia), alleging that it has driven the country into a full-blown crisis. She promised to work on a draft document that would form the basis for new parliamentary elections in Georgia.
The refusal of diplomats’ entry into the parliament, coupled with the President’s unyielding stance, has raised concerns about the political stability of the South Caucasian nation. As the dust settles, all eyes are on Tbilisi to see how these political dynamics will unfold.
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