Zourabichvili at Timisoara Forum: This Is Not Governance, But Usurpation of Power

Former President Salome Zourabichvili, the fifth president of Georgia, said at the "European Values" forum in Timisoara, Romania, that those in power have halted Georgia's European integration, which goes against the country's constitution and the will of the Georgian people. According to her, the message is clear: "We will not surrender! Georgia belongs to the people!"

According to Zourabichvili, civil society is being destroyed through repressive laws, independent media is being silenced through censorship, and opposition parties are being threatened with bans. In her assessment, this is not governance of the country but usurpation of power.

The former president said that for the last 30 years, the Georgian people have made clear through street protests, elections and polls that they want Europe. According to her, this choice has its price: students, journalists and ordinary citizens are facing violence, detentions and daily repression.

Zourabichvili stated that Russia is waging a continuous hybrid campaign against Georgia and that Georgia serves as a testing ground for it. According to her, the same struggle is also underway against European states and institutions. She names cyberattacks, sabotage, disinformation, election interference, economic pressure, and the use of corruption and oligarchs.

According to her, a narrative is being imposed in Europe that Europe is undermining sovereignty, that the West is responsible for the war, and that only Russia wants peace. In Zourabichvili's assessment, this is aimed at preventing us from seeing the real source of danger, so that we stop defending ourselves and resign ourselves.

According to her, the response should be the defense of democratic choice: support and security for those who are defending fundamental freedoms, demands for accountability everywhere, and loyalty to the people.

Zourabichvili added: "We must unite in solidarity and act in a coordinated way against disinformation and cyberattacks before the situation worsens". Her press service is distributing the statement.