Salome Zourabichvili: ‘Alongside street protests, pro-European resistance platform must be established

Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zourabichvili, has called for the creation of a Resistance Platform—a unified front of pro-European political forces—to complement ongoing street protests and push for democratic change.

“To achieve our goals, we must give this movement a political format. I propose and publicly declare today that a Resistance Platform be established, uniting all pro-European parties and groups ready to set aside differences and stand for two key demands: new, fair elections and the release of political prisoners,” Zourabichvili stated during a mass demonstration on Rustaveli Avenue.

She emphasized that opposition forces must align on electoral reforms and develop mechanisms to safeguard votes against potential manipulation.

“For 124 days, people have stood in the streets demanding what belongs to them by law and by will—freedom, independence, and a European future. This battle has already delivered results, securing Georgia’s EU candidate status. Now, we must take the next step,” she declared.

Zourabichvili also criticized the ruling Georgian Dream party, saying it had become politically isolated and out of touch with public demands.

“The government has failed to silence the people, neither through violence nor intimidation. A new Georgia is emerging, and we will reclaim our country from Russian influence,” she asserted.

Her call for a structured political resistance marks a pivotal moment in Georgia’s ongoing protests, as opposition forces seek to consolidate their efforts against the government’s controversial policies.