Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has responded to the latest developments in the country by issuing a statement.
"Unfortunately, polarization and tensions in the country are increasing daily. Challenging legitimate elections, employing all forms of disobedience, provoking public and social protests aim to weaken and destabilize the country.
This may produce gravest consequences such as countrywide loss of trust in democratic institutions; this may deal a severe blow not only to a country like Georgia but much more powerful democratic states also. Respect for election results is a cornerstone of democracy! Defiance of democratic principles serves those forces, both inside and outside the country, which consider their political ambitions a priority and which see stability and democracy in the region as a threat.
Today, I have conducted a meeting with the representatives of the diplomatic corps and discussed the existing situation in detail. I consider that the urgent de-escalation of the situation and diffusion of tensions are mandatory. We can make this happen by a constructive dialogue which will help us maintain the country's stability and the international image.
I stand ready to support dialogue in any form. However, I believe that the concession policy can work only if both parties are prepared for a constructive dialogue, but it cannot work when concession equals weakness, or a party applies it only to pose victorious. Also, setting preconditions and the radicalization of processes are incompatible with constructive dialogue.
As a guarantor of Georgia's independence, sovereignty, Europeanisation, democratic development, and stability, I pursue the country's and its citizens' interests and believe that by de-escalation of the situation, everyone will win," the statement reads.
Tbilisi City Court has used detention as a measure of restraint against UNM head Nika Melia. The UNM head has spent a few days in the party's office. Opposition leaders are with him, saying that they will not let them put Nika Melia behind bars.
Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has resigned today. He defined UNM head Nika Melia's detention as the reason prompting him to make the decision. In Gakharia's words, he deems enforcement of even a lawful measure against a specific person at the expense of Georgian citizens' health, life, and the risk of an escalation of domestic tensions inadmissible.
Also, today, the ruling party nominated Irakli Gharibashvili as the PM candidate.
The EU urges Georgian government and the opposition 'to act with utmost restraint.'
The U.S. Embassy said that the United States remains willing to help facilitate constructive dialogue.
The British Embassy in Georgia also released a statement saying that the people of Georgia deserve better.
