Salome Zurabishvili: We are in an existential struggle, which explains why people in Georgia are not giving up

"We are in an existential struggle, which explains why people in Georgia are not giving up, because this is not just a typical political crisis. This is much more and concerns the future of Georgia," the fifth President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, said in an interview with CNN Prima NEWS.

“First of all, I continue my role as the legitimate president. All other institutions in Georgia are now partisan bodies. They are no longer state institutions, they are no longer independent. It is very important to have a figure who represents the continuity of the state. Of course, this is only symbolic. I have no authority, but I use this symbolism and the trust that I have received from the people of Georgia to try to play the role of coordinating and uniting the opposition. We must unite to resist this regime and to show outside the country what is happening in Georgia. I am trying to show what is really happening in Georgia and to be the voice of those who are participating in the protests on the streets and to be their voice outside the country, thanks to my contacts and acquaintances,” Zurabishvili noted.

According to her, the protests continue, and these protests actually began more than two years ago, when people took to the streets against the Russian law.

“So we are in a struggle for existence, which explains why people are not giving up, because this is not just a typical political crisis. This is much more and concerns the future of Georgia. I think perhaps the partners do not appreciate enough that the events taking place here are also a challenge for Georgia’s democratic partners, be it the United States or Europe, and this is not limited to Georgia alone. From a strategic point of view, this concerns the entire Caucasus and the Black Sea, and therefore connectivity with Central Asia. Russia is creating a broader challenge here, even though it is weaker today than ever,” Zurabishvili noted.

According to her, the United States and Europe are investing heavily in Georgia to build state institutions, to build a democratic country, to create a safe and reliable partner for both Europe and the United States in the Black Sea region.

"All this suddenly disappears without anyone reacting consistently and politically. This does not mean that they should react on the spot, but at least clearly state in words what is happening," the fifth President of Georgia noted.