Zurabishvili Says She Will Fight for Victory

Ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party-backed presidential candidate Salome Zurabishvili says she will not give up and will fight to the end in the runoff to be held on December 2.

In the October 28 presidential elections, Zurabishvili got 38.64% of votes, followed by the candidate of the United Opposition, Grigol Vashadze with 37.74%.

At the press-conference held on Tuesday evening, Zurabishvili thanked everyone who participated in the elections, especially her supporters.

“What happened on October 28 was a victory. Some may question that victory. The first place in the first round, despite the dirty campaign which is of Russian making,” she stated, referring to the opposition-minded Rustavi 2 TV.

“Rustavi 2 thinks and persuades people that I will withdraw my candidacy. Can I give up this country to Vashadze and Russia? No! I am ready for the second round. I am ready for the fight,” she stressed.

Zurabishvili said people should make a choice not only between two candidates or two parties, but between two Georgias.

She noted that Europe and Georgia’s modern future stand on her side.

“I am ready for the second round. I am ready for the struggle, because I believe in you. I believe in your choice. I believe you understand it well that today, there is a choice between two Georgias…This is the second round and we must do it together. I am going to the fight, we are going together, because we know that the truth, Europe and Georgia’s modern future, stand on our side. Together for Georgia!” she addressed the voters.

By Thea Morrison