Georgia's fifth president Salomé Zourabichvili on her optimism for her country's future

Key Concepts

• Presidential Palace: The official residence and seat of power for the President of Georgia.
• Political Crisis: A period of instability and conflict within a country's political system.
• Disputed Elections: Elections where the results are challenged due to alleged irregularities or fraud.
• Georgian Dream Party: The ruling political party in Georgia.
• European Union (EU): A political and economic union of 27 European countries.
• Russia: A neighboring country with significant historical and geopolitical influence over Georgia.
• European Way: Georgia's aspiration to align with European democratic and economic standards and institutions.
• Executive Powers: The authority to implement and enforce laws.
• Hybrid War: A form of warfare that combines conventional military tactics with irregular tactics, such as cyberattacks, propaganda, and political subversion.
• Democratic Backsliding: A decline in democratic institutions and practices within a country.
• Enlargement Report: A report published by the European Commission assessing the progress of candidate countries towards EU membership.
• Terror Regime: A government that rules through fear and repression.

Summary of Interview with Salome Zourabichvili

This summary details an interview with Salome Zourabichvili, the fifth president of Georgia, discussing her departure from the presidential palace, the political situation in Georgia, and its geopolitical implications.

1. Departure from the Presidential Palace and Legitimacy

• Main Topic: Zourabichvili explains her decision to leave the presidential palace despite many considering her the rightful president following disputed elections.
• Key Points:
  • She states that holding onto a building is meaningless; true power lies in the support of the population and recognition from major international partners.
  • Remaining in the palace would have transformed the situation into a "joke" and prevented her from advocating for Georgia's future on the international stage.
  • She emphasizes that her role, even as president, was largely symbolic, lacking executive powers. However, she used her voice to strongly advocate for Georgia's European path, especially as the ruling party drifted towards Russia.
  • She dismisses the idea that her departure signifies being sidelined, asserting that the current president is not "very present."

2. Public Support and the European Path

• Main Topic: The significant public support for Zourabichvili and Georgia's European aspirations.
• Key Points:
  • Thousands of Georgians have taken to the streets in support of her and the country's wish to join Europe.
  • This support is described as the driving force behind her continued efforts, not solely personal admiration, but as a symbol of Georgia's European future.
  • She believes this European path is the "only alternative possible" for Georgia, preventing it from falling back into Russia's influence.

3. International Response and the EU's Role

• Main Topic: The international community's response to the political crisis in Georgia and the EU's assessment of the country's democratic progress.
• Key Points:
  • While there have been words of support from European and American partners, there has been "not much else" in terms of material support.
  • Zourabichvili acknowledges that Georgia is not in a situation comparable to Ukraine, which receives substantial material aid.
  • She notes that European and American partners have been distracted by the "main priority," which is Ukraine, recognizing that Georgia's future is intertwined with the outcome in Ukraine.
  • The European Commission's latest enlargement report (November 4th) accused Georgia of "serious democratic backsliding" and described it as an "EU candidate in name only." Zourabichvili agrees with this assessment, stating it's "finally true" that the EU recognizes the authorities' actions against the people's will.
  • She criticizes the lack of immediate reactions from the EU to direct attacks on ambassadors and the EU itself, suggesting that this hesitation may have accelerated Georgia's drift away from Europe.

4. Georgia as a Test Case for Russian Hybrid Warfare

• Main Topic: Georgia's experience as a "test case" for Russia's hybrid warfare tactics.
• Key Points:
  • Zourabichvili argues that Russia is testing its hybrid warfare capabilities in Georgia, using elections, propaganda, and other instruments.
  • She draws a parallel between the ongoing hybrid war in Georgia and the conventional war in Ukraine, noting that Russia's results in Georgia may be more positive so far.
  • She highlights the danger of suggesting that Russia should never intervene again in Europe or Ukraine without addressing its territorial occupations in Georgia and Moldova, which she sees as an "incitation to continue."

5. The Dangers of Ukraine Peace Plans and Election Integrity

• Main Topic: Zourabichvili expresses concerns about proposed peace plans for Ukraine and the integrity of elections.
• Key Points:
  • She finds the suggestion of holding Ukrainian elections within 100 days "very dangerous," citing Georgia's experience with rigged elections and the difficulty of implementing preventive measures, especially after a war.
  • She questions the trustworthiness of systems, particularly after conflict, and believes the current Ukrainian administration would struggle to take necessary preventive measures.

6. Preventing Georgia's Drift Towards Russia

• Main Topic: Strategies to prevent Georgia from returning to Russian influence.
• Key Points:
  • Zourabichvili believes it is possible to prevent this drift due to massive public support for the European path and the backing of international partners.
  • She anticipates future elections where they will fight differently, having learned from the "massively rigged" previous elections with Russian assistance.
  • She emphasizes the crucial need for massive support from European partners in combating propaganda and election rigging.

7. Public Opinion and the Nature of Support

• Main Topic: Addressing the perception of a pro-Russian sentiment in Georgia.
• Key Points:
  • Zourabichvili disagrees with the notion that there is a significant pro-Russian mass in Georgia.
  • She attributes silence to a "terror regime" where not everyone can express their views freely due to fear of repercussions, such as imprisonment for no reason.
  • She asserts that opinion polls consistently show massive support for the European path, as Georgians understand the consequences of Russian occupation and aggression.

8. Personal Safety and Optimism

• Main Topic: Zourabichvili's personal safety and her enduring optimism.
• Key Points:
  • When asked about fearing for her life, she states that she has no right to be more fearful than those on the streets, as she has external contacts and internal popularity that offer protection.
  • Her optimism stems from observing the courage of the Georgian people who take greater risks than she does.

9. Conclusion and Takeaways

• Main Takeaways:
  • Salome Zourabichvili remains a vocal advocate for Georgia's European integration, viewing it as the country's sole viable future.
  • She highlights the challenges posed by Russian hybrid warfare and the need for robust international support, particularly from European partners, to counter these threats and ensure democratic integrity.
  • Despite the current political climate and the perceived democratic backsliding, Zourabichvili maintains an optimistic outlook, fueled by the resilience and aspirations of the Georgian people.
  • The interview underscores the complex geopolitical landscape of Georgia, caught between its European aspirations and Russian influence, with the outcome in Ukraine playing a significant role in its future.