Salome Zourabichvili, the fifth president of Georgia, congratulated citizens on May 26 while attending an “Opposition Alliance” protest. She stated that people took to the streets, joining this rally, for the sake of unity.
“First of all, I want to congratulate everyone on May 26 and on what is most important to us — independence, which is not 35 years old, but 85 years old and much more. However, our modern statehood dates back to this period, since the period of occupation is not counted. Our constitution has returned to its original text, and this continuity is our great strength.
These people who came out — they came out for unity, because without unity, independence does not exist. Protecting independence and restoring it, seeing our freedom through to the end — all of this also depends on the unity and determination of the people. Congratulations to everyone once again,” Zourabichvili stated.
Speaking during the protest march, the politician sharply criticized footage published online showing Merab Kostava, Zviad Gamsakhurdia, and Bidzina Ivanishvili together, which she deemed “unacceptable and offensive” and “the ultimate insult” to the public.
“This is the ultimate insult. Whether they let something through or not — what difference does it make? The people are here, and the people will enter, because Rustaveli Avenue belongs to the people, and the people will be on Rustaveli…
Life has not stopped. There are moments when the protest intensifies or wanes — we remember last year’s May 26, March 31. Now this national energy is clashing with their division, because the regime is on the verge of collapse. We just need to hold on a little longer, and this energy will help us,” stated Salome Zourabichvili.