**Georgian President Warns of Growing Internal Crisis**
Georgia is facing a growing internal crisis, according to its president, Salome Zurabishvili. She warned that the country’s democratic path and stability are at risk due to a combination of factors.
In an address to British lawmakers, President Zurabishvili highlighted the challenges facing Georgia, including the manipulation of elections by external forces, the exploitation of offshore assets laws, and the use of covert authoritarian influence.
**Election Manipulation**
The president accused Russia of using its proxies in occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to manipulate elections in Georgia. She warned that this could undermine the country’s pro-Western aspirations.
**Offshore Assets Laws**
President Zurabishvili also criticized a new law on offshore assets, which she said creates a safe haven for sanctioned oligarchs. She accused one individual, Mikheil Khakhiashvili (also known as Irakli Kekelidze), of exploiting the law to repatriate over $500 million worth of artwork and other assets.
**Calls for Sanctions**
The president urged Western allies to adopt a more strategic approach to sanctions. She argued that current measures lack direction and fail to address the political crisis gripping Georgia. President Zurabishvili proposed linking sanctions to concrete steps, such as repealing repressive laws, releasing political prisoners, and setting a date for new elections.
**Optimism about Georgia’s Future**
Despite the challenges facing her country, President Zurabishvili expressed optimism about Georgia’s future. She emphasized that the vast majority of the Georgian population supports the country’s European path, democratic path, and stable future.
President Zurabishvili’s address comes at a critical time for Georgia, which is struggling to maintain its independence and sovereignty in the face of external pressures. Her call for more strategic and conditional sanctions reflects her government’s desire for greater international support in addressing these challenges.