ALDE and Liberal International continue to recognize the legitimately elected president Salome Zurabishvili, the "election" of the new president does not reflect the will of the Georgian people, according to a joint statement issued by the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) and Liberal International.

"We are deeply disappointed and concerned about the 'election' of the new president by an electoral college, which is dominated by a 'one-party' parliament formed after disputed elections. Given that the elections did not include opposition positions, we believe this does not reflect the will of the Georgian people.

We continue to recognize the achievements of the legitimately elected president, Salome Zurabishvili, and her efforts to ensure Georgia's full integration into the European Union and NATO, in line with Article 78 of the Georgian Constitution.

We condemn the unconstitutional actions of 'Georgian Dream' and the resulting democratic backslide we are now witnessing in Georgia, and we call on countries to expand and enforce sanctions already imposed by the United States, Ukraine, and those expected from the European Union against politicians involved in the adoption of the 'foreign agents' Russian law and anti-democratic practices," the statement reads.