Zourabichvili Addresses Protesters on Rustaveli Avenue
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
President Salome Zourabichvili addressed a crowd of protesters on Rustaveli Avenue, stating that she would continue what she called an "unequal struggle" until a legitimate government is formed.
"We continue this unequal struggle - until the legitimately elected parliament forms a legitimate government and elects the next legitimate president, I remain faithful to my oath to serve the country, defend the Constitution, and the will and interests of the Georgian people," she said.
According to Zourabichvili, citizens are confronted with "a small group in the service of one man and foreign forces, who serve only their own money and narrow interests." She claimed that many in the government "not only cannot admit that they are doing Russia's work, but also do not dare to state their own position and are hiding behind the slogan of Russian propaganda: 'Do you want a war?'"
She argued that the current authorities stand on three main pillars but that "this regime is shaking." She described these pillars as "the financial interests of the oligarch's entourage, and they feed the regime," "Russian propaganda and propagandists who are trying to deceive and subjugate people," and "the violent system of Russian rule."
"The main question of how long it will last and how we will defeat this Russian regime and authoritarianism, how to return the country to the path we have chosen, lies in the weakening and collapse of these pillars," she said.
Emphasizing the importance of non-violent resistance, she added, "This is a non-violent, difficult, perhaps long, but ultimately successful path that will lead Georgia to peace. Our power is a peaceful path. The ruling power really wants to divert us from this path, to drag us into a violent struggle and thereby defeat us. We will not allow this! In a constitutional way, by respecting the rule of law, we, not they, continue this unequal struggle, I am with you."
She concluded by reiterating her commitment to serving until a new government is formed. "Until the legitimately elected parliament does not form a legitimate government and elects the next legitimate president, I remain faithful to my oath to serve the country, protect the Constitution, and the will and interests of the Georgian people."
