Expert: Salome Zourabichvili leaving palace changes nothing, protests continue

Political expert Gia Nodia commented on ex-President Salome Zourabichvili’s decision to leave the presidential palace, stating that it does not change the essence of the ongoing movement.

In his social media post, Nodia noted that some were disappointed by the President’s decision to leave the Orbeliani Palace, but he argued that this disappointment was misplaced.

“The decision to leave the presidential palace has disappointed some, but it’s not entirely clear what those hopes were that are now dashed.

What was the point of barricading herself in the palace? Yes, there would have been footage of the President being forcibly removed, and of police confronting protesters, likely detaining and fining them. This would have further discredited an already discredited government. But what then?

We already know that the government has superior physical force. However, this movement has two primary weapons: truth and persistence. These are powerful tools, and history shows that such strength can prevail,” Nodia stated.

He concluded by emphasizing that Zourabichvili’s departure from the palace does not alter the movement’s trajectory: “The President leaving the palace changes nothing substantially. We continue as we have been.”