**Georgian President Refuses to Step Down**
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has said she will stay in office until a new, legitimate parliament is elected. This announcement comes as protests continue across the country.
**Protests Escalate**
The protests began when Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze postponed Georgia’s membership bid to join the European Union until 2028. Police used pepper spray and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in Tbilisi on November 29, but the protests have now spread to other cities.
**President Says New Parliament Must Be Elected Legitimately**
Zourabichvili said that an illegitimate parliament cannot elect a new head of state. She claimed that the current situation means her mandate will continue until a new president is elected by the people.
**Meetings with Society and Political Parties Planned**
The President has announced plans to meet with society and political parties on December 1. This comes as the country’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, has said the presidential election will be held on December 14.
**Government Accused of Democratic Backsliding**
The opposition has accused the government of trying to undermine democracy. The European Commission suspended Georgia’s EU accession process earlier this year due to concerns over widespread fraud in the October parliamentary elections.
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