Salome Zurabishvili: It is the political responsibility of the parties to come to their senses and understand that unity is essential, and also to properly grasp the situation

Under this regime, even parliamentary elections are impossible – without unity, we might as well pack up and go our separate ways, handing this semi-collapsed regime the victory it neither deserves nor can achieve over the protest and the society that continues to fight with such determination – it is the political responsibility of the parties to come to their senses and understand that unity is essential," – said Georgia’s fifth President, Salome Zurabishvili, during a briefing.

According to Zurabishvili, it is important that pressure on the regime continues both from within and from outside.

“Parliamentary elections are impossible under current conditions, unchanged and under this regime. That is why, within the framework of the platform, we developed a document, which is agreed upon and outlines all the conditions and changes that must be introduced as prerequisites for the parliamentary elections. These are the conditions we have presented, but the effort must continue — not only among the public but also with our international partners — and pressure on the regime must be maintained. From the outside through sanctions and pressure from partners; from the inside through protest, which is the strongest of these three necessary components. Also, from the parties and the political spectrum, which will only be effective if united.

Without unity, we might as well pack up and go our separate ways and hand over victory to this regime — a regime that is already half-collapsed — a victory it neither deserves nor can win over the protest and the public that continues to fight so passionately.

Therefore, it is the political responsibility of the parties to come to their senses and realize that unity is necessary — and that they must fully understand the situation. As time goes on, it becomes more likely that parliamentary and local elections will be held together. But those elections will only happen if the protest continues, only if international partners keep up their pressure, and only if political parties can jointly present their vision and alternative for the country’s future. No one ever wants change that creates a vacuum in the country. Everyone bears great responsibility. First, let's reflect — and then speak!” – stated Salome Zurabishvili.