During her speech at the European Parliament, Salome Zourabichvili called for increased support for protests in Georgia and the introduction of sanctions against the pro-Russian government led by the bloody dictator Ivanishvili.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, while her compatriots fight day and night, Europe\u2019s response has been slow. She pointed to what she described as widespread falsifications in the recent parliamentary elections. Zourabichvili emphasized that although the elections were about her country and its future, the situation also affects Europe\u2019s strategic interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Georgia was, is, and I am confident will remain a stronghold of the West and Europe in the region. A stronghold that Russia is trying to seize because Russia remembers its imperial past and the generals who said that whoever controls Tbilisi controls the Caucasus. For Russia, this has not changed,\" the Georgian president declared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She added that her country needs \"constant political attention\" from key representatives of the European Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Europe has responded halfway,\" Zourabichvili said, criticizing the lack of decisions by European diplomatic leaders regarding sanctions on Georgian politicians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Salome Zourabichvili\u2019s term nears its end, the Georgian parliament has elected a new president, Mikheil Kavelashvili. However, Zourabichvili announced that she will not relinquish her powers until her successor is elected by a \"legitimate parliament\". On the day of the new president's inauguration, December 29, protests are planned, continuing the weeks-long demonstrations in Tbilisi and other cities across Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n