**Georgian President Meets US Officials in Washington**
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has arrived in Washington, D.C. for a visit to attend the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
During her stay, she met with nominee for Secretary of State Marco Rubio and nominee for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. She also spoke with the Vice President of the International Republican Institute (IRI) about Georgia‘s political challenges.
**No Reps from Georgian Dream**
Notably, no representatives from the ruling Georgian Dream government are expected to attend the inauguration ceremony.
**Zurabishvili Speaks Out**
President Zurabishvili said that the main message she brings to Washington is that the existing regime in Georgia “cannot be a legitimate representative of the Georgian people.” She emphasized that it’s not just about elections, but about a regime that has departed from the constitution and no longer represents democracy or statehood.
**Meetings with US Officials**
Zurabishvili met with IRI Vice President Scott Mastic to discuss Georgia’s political challenges. She also spoke with leadership of the International Republican Institute (IRI) to discuss the country’s situation.
The President stressed that IRI is a “great supporter of Georgian society and political parties” and emphasized their readiness to assist in creating conditions for new fair elections.
**Urgency of New Elections**
Zurabishvili underscored the urgency of acting immediately to prepare for the new elections, describing it as a “short-term plan.” This includes defining demands that are acceptable to the public, new political forces, non-governmental organizations, and political parties.
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