Political situation in Georgia

President of Georgia: I will not leave my post

Georgia's EU-friendly president Salomé Zurabisvjili will not leave her post after her term ends in December. She announced this according to Reuters.

At a press conference, she says that the presidency is the "last legitimate institution" left in the country.

- There is no legitimate parliament, and an illegitimate parliament cannot elect a new president.

The presidential election will be held on December 14. Following a change in the constitution, the election will for the first time be via a 300-member electoral college, rather than a direct referendum.

For several days, Georgia has been rocked by strong protests after the pro-Russian Prime Minister Irakli Kobachidze announced that the country is pausing talks on EU membership. President Zurabishvili has called for continued protests.

Mass protests in Georgia for the third night in a row

Late on Saturday, thousands of Georgians again gathered to demonstrate in the capital Tbilisi, writes Reuters. It is the third day of mass protests following the government's announcement of paused EU talks.

Outside the parliament, the protesters build barricades, break windows and set off fireworks. Riot-equipped police respond with tear gas and water cannons.

According to Georgian media, demonstrations are also taking place in smaller towns and villages elsewhere in the country.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobachidze and the state security service accuse the pro-EU opposition of trying to commit revolution and "oust the government by force".

Protesters and police clash in Tbilisi

Violent clashes between protesters and police have taken place in the Georgian capital Tbilisi on Saturday evening, AFP reporters on the ground said.

Police in riot gear used rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds, who threw fireworks and set up barricades outside parliament.

- I'm not going to hide that I'm afraid that many people will be hurt, but I'm not afraid to stand here, says protester Tamar Gelashvili.

In recent days, over 100 people have been arrested during the demonstrations.