Day: December 30, 2024
I extend my deepest condolences to the family of 39th U.S. President Jimmy Carter & to the American people. His legacy of promoting peace, humanitarian values and protection of human rights has left an indelible mark & continues to inspire generations.
— Nikol Pashinyan (@NikolPashinyan) December 30, 2024
On December 29, the ruling Georgian Dream party held an inauguration of its chosen candidate Mikheil Kavelashvili for the post of President of Georgia. The brief ceremony was held in the parliament building. No foreign ambassadors attended the inauguration, with the GD claiming that they hadn’t been invited due to lack of space in the parliament building. In a move that further widens Georgia’s deepening political divisions, former footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili was elected President of Georgia on December 14 after garnering 224 votes from the college comprising of the all-GD legislature and local councilors, being the only candidate on the list. Domestic and international actors have rejected Kavelashvili’s legitimacy, citing President Salome Zurabishvili as the only legitimate institution in the country.
We have collected the international reactions to the inauguration of Kavelashvili as a president:
Gitanas Nausėda, President of the Republic of Lithuania: “Just another day in a “traditional” European democracy where no one can take the “dream party” seriously, and a person, only elected and acknowledged by his own party, is inaugurated in a semi-secret ceremony. Georgia must either be redefining democracy or skipping the whole parliament and president thing altogether.”
Caspar Veldkamp, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands: “I commend the leadership of Zurabishvvili and her strong commitment to Georgia’s European course. Georgians have been peacefully defending their democratic and European future on the streets for a month, despite violence and intimidation. No government can ignore their call. OSCE/ODIHR has confirmed serious election violations, as well as the lack of investigation into alleged fraud. It is high time for the Georgian authorities to restore public confidence in democratic institutions by implementing the OSCE recommendations and possibly considering new elections – based on those recommendations.”
Michael Roth, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag: “Zurabishvili saved Georgia’s honor! No one should recognize the so-called new “President” of Georgia or legitimize him through invitations or visits. He was elected by MPs who won their mandates through rigged elections. Georgia needs free and fair elections asap.”
Joe Wilson, Chairman of the US Helsinki Commission: “America stands with the only legitimate Georgian leader Zurabishvili and the Georgian people as they demand free and fair elections, rejecting the sham installation of the CCP and Iranian regime puppet. Sovereignty is not for sale, and the will of free people will prevail.”
Tamás Sulyok, Hungarian President: “To Mikheil Kavelashvili, President-elect of Georgia, please accept my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on your election as President of Georgia. Hungary is eager to strengthen the mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries and expand joint projects in new areas within our strategic partnership. I assure you that Hungary firmly supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia and the country’s European integration efforts. I wish you good health and great success in your important duties.”
Leonid Slutsky, Head of the Russian State Duma Committee on Foreign Affairs: “Georgia confidently passes the test of sovereignty and independence. Mikhail Kavelashvili has officially assumed the office of President and his legal rights. His inauguration was preceded by a real political drama. Western proxy Salome Zurabishvili refused to resign and leave the presidential palace, urging the foreign-fuelled opposition to radicalize the protests. However, having apparently realized the inevitability of change and the danger of criminal prosecution, Zurabishvili vacated the chair. Lastly, she announced that she was taking with her the ‘legitimacy and flag’ of Georgia. Tbilisi can be congratulated, first of all, on the fact that it managed to avoid bloodshed and the situation going beyond the legal framework during the transfer of power. And legitimacy is not a handbag, you cannot take it away with you. Georgians learnt well the lessons of the Ukrainian Maidan and did not allow their country to be turned into another Western colony and a new anti-Russian bridgehead. And, as said, this is another ‘goal’ in the ‘gates’ of the adherents of American hegemony.”
Konstantin Zatulin, First Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee: “Salomé ‘takes legitimacy with her’. Apparently she’s going to store it in a trunk full of old clothes. …Of course, Russia should not expect a complete U-turn from Georgia. That would be unrealistic. The task of the new President, according to Prime Minister Kobakhidze, is to ‘bring Georgia into the European Union’ by 2030. We shall see. But it is important to note that, unlike Zelensky, Georgia’s pragmatic leadership did not want to become a tool in foreign hands and risk Georgia once again in the struggle with Russia. I understand that Russia’s recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is a threshold that is difficult for emotional Georgian politicians to cross. But it is a fact that we have to live with. And we will have to find ways of working together in spite of everything.”
More to follow…
Also Read:
- 30/12/2024 – Liveblog: Resistance | Planned Protests in Tbilisi
Interview with former Georgian special forces officer
Former senior officer of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Special Operations Department, Irakli Shaishmelashvili, stated in an interview that the current events in the country are part of a hybrid war waged by Russia.
Shaishmelashvili does not rule out that the order to disperse the ongoing pro-European protests is being issued directly by Bidzina Ivanishvili, honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Colonel Irakli Shaishmelashvili previously headed the Operational Planning Division of the Special Operations Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Special Forces). In early December 2024, he resigned, citing personal reasons, and soon after, he left Georgia with his family. According to him, the departure was prompted by threats to murder his family members, including his young son, after stepping down from his position.
“What is happening today is a hybrid war waged by Russia in Georgia. Unfortunately, our current government is not opposing this war but is poisoning society, including its own voters, with disinformation and lies. The information space is completely polluted,” Shaishmelashvili stated.
Irakli Shaishmelashvili does not rule out that the order to disperse the pro-European protests in Tbilisi comes directly from Bidzina Ivanishvili.
“It is quite possible that the order comes directly from Ivanishvili. I wouldn’t exclude that he is in contact with the heads of other agencies, such as the Minister of Internal Affairs,” Shaishmelashvili stated.
The former special forces officer explained that police officers will not act without a direct order. Accordingly, the directive for the harsh suppression of protests was issued from higher up:
“There might be isolated cases of misconduct or excessive force by individual officers. But systematically, in groups, on a mass scale, and repeatedly? No.”
Additionally, Irakli Shaishmelashvili claimed that individuals not affiliated with law enforcement or security structures also participated in the dispersals.
West responds to Mikheil Kavelashvili’s inauguration
In response to the December 29 inauguration of Mikheil Kavelashvili, appointed as president by the ruling Georgian Dream party, some of Georgia’s Western partners stated that new elections should be held in the country.
On December 29, the inauguration of Mikheil Kavelashvili, appointed as president by the ruling Georgian Dream party, took place in the Georgian Parliament building.
Kavelashvili became the first Georgian president not elected by the people. His legitimacy is not recognised by the opposition, civil society, or non-governmental organisations. Georgia’s Western partners also did not congratulate him on his appointment.
On the day of the inauguration, thousands of people held a rally in support of Salome Zourabichvili, whom a significant part of the public considers the country’s only legitimate president..
The Scandinavian and Baltic countries—Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway, and Sweden—issued a joint statement regarding Georgia:
“We are seriously concerns about the situation in Georgia.
We have called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the irregularities reportde ahead of and during the parliamentary elections on 26 October. We have condemned violence and intimidation against peaceful protesters, politicians, and media representatives; and we deplore the threas directed towards President Zourabichvili.
As long-standing friends of Georgia, and supporters of the European aspirations of the Georgian people, we are alarmed by the country’s path towards deeper polarisation and crisis. Georgia urgently needs a way out of the crisis, and to restore public trust in its democratic institutions.
We urge the Georgian authorities take immediate steps in this direction, including by implementing OSCE electoral recommendations and by considering the possibility of new elections based on these recommendations”.
President of Moldova, Maia Sandu:
“Today, as always, we stand with the Georgian people in their fight for freedom, democracy, and a European future. Your courage and determination inspire us all, and Moldova remains with you on this shared path.”
Former Prime Minister of Sweden and Co-Chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations, Carl Bildt:
“A critical moment in Georgia, where, after flawed elections, the regime installed its puppet president, while Zourabichvili, carrying the political legitimacy of public support, has left the presidential palace empty.”
President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda wrote on X:
“Just another day in a “traditional” European democracy where no one can take the “dream party” seriously, and a person, only elected and acknowledged by his own party, is inaugurated in a semi-secret ceremony.
Georgia must either be redefining democracy or skipping the whole parliament and president thing altogether.”
Dutch Foreign Minister Kaspar Veldkamp wrote on X:
“I commend Salome Zourabichvili for her vital leadership and unwavering commitment to Georgia’s European course. For a month now Georgian people are peacefully defending their democratic and European future in the streets despite violence and intimidation.
No government can ignore their plea. OSCE/ODIHR confirmed serious electoral violations and lack of investigation of alleged fraud.
It is high time that the Georgian authorities restore public trust by implementing the OSCE recommendations and by considering possible new elections based on these recommendations.“
Linas Linkevičius, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania and Acting Ambassador to Sweden:
“We too often face defeat when we fail to take a unified, strong stance at critical moments. Georgian democracy is now in decline. Only new free elections can resolve this crisis. We must firmly support the President of Georgia [Salome Zourabichvili] in her efforts to keep the country on the European path.”
Chairman of the German Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael Roth:
“Salome Zourabichvili has saved Georgia’s honour! No one should recognise the so-called new ‘president’ of Georgia or legitimise him through invitations or visits. He was elected by MPs who gained their mandates through rigged elections. Georgia needs free and fair elections as soon as possible.”
Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, Congressman Joe Wilson, said on X:
“Next week, I will introduce the Georgian Nightmare Non-Recognition Act, which will prohibit U.S. recognition of the illegal dictatorial regime in Georgia and recognize Salome Zourabichvili as the only legitimate leader in Georgia until such a time as free and fair elections are held.”
MEP from Latvia, Rihards Kols:
“Day 32 of mass protests in Georgia. They continue despite brutal repression. Today’s so-called inauguration is an insult to democracy by the puppet regime of Georgian Dream.
Salome Zourabichvili remains the only legitimate president of Georgia—a leader who stands with the people, not against them.
What should the EU do? Refuse to recognise this illegitimate regime, no handshakes or legitimisation [of the appointed president], and acknowledge Zourabichvili as the legitimate president.”
Knut Abraham, member of the German Bundestag:
“The situation in Georgia, a candidate country for the European Union, is worsening by the day. The foreign ministers of the Weimar Triangle countries (France, Germany, Poland) must go to Tbilisi immediately. The European Parliament’s resolution on Georgia and the experience of the Baltic states show the way forward.”
Lieutenant General of the U.S. Army Ben Hodges stated in an interview with Voice of America:
“I must say how much I admire the President of Georgia [Salome Zourabichvili]. She is a model of strength and courage in standing up to Georgia’s illegitimate government. Of course, I am also concerned that someone might harm her at some point.
I believe the entire democratic world must be prepared, and we must clearly state that we recognise only her as the legitimate president. If anything happens to her, those [in power in Georgia] must be held accountable.
In America, we are in the midst of a power transition. We hear statements from the Trump administration regarding Greenland, Canada, Panama, and the like, but unfortunately, it seems they are not focused on the Black Sea region.”
#SouthCaucasus
Последние новости Кавказа и Украины с Романом Цимбалюком https://t.co/VksohrhetL via @YouTube— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) December 30, 2024