International Media Writes about Zurabishvili’s Victory

International media outlets have written about Salome Zurabishvili, who became the first female president of Georgia after getting 1,147.627 votes (59.52%), compared to the 780,633 votes (40.48%) of the United Opposition candidate Grigol Vashadze, during the November 28 runoff. 

BBC writes that Zurabishvili, 66, was born in Paris after her parents fled Georgia in 1921 following its annexation by Soviet forces.

“Our correspondent reports she failed to connect with voters, and many Georgians could not forgive her for saying it was Georgia that started the war with Russia in 2008,” BBC article reads.

Meanwhile, The New York Times reports that this was the last direct election of the President in Georgia.

“Once the term ends for Ms. Zurabishvili, the first woman to be elected president of Georgia, heads of state in the country will be chosen by delegates,” the article reads.

Euronews writes that officially Zurabishvili was independent but her cause could have been helped by the endorsement she received by the ruling Georgian Dream party, founded by former Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili.

By Thea Morrison