Salome Zourabichvili: I leave Orbeliani Palace, but taking legitimacy along
“Loyalty to my country and its people will remain unchanged, whether I am in the palace or outside it. I will leave this place and stand by you,” said Salome Zourabichvili in an address to supporters gathered at the Orbeliani Palace.
“First, I want to thank everyone for being here today. While society stands with us, there is a emptiness on their side. They are locked away, but we are free, unafraid of anything.
I want to address you and share my thoughts. Six years ago, I took an oath—not only to uphold the Constitution but also to commit myself to this country and to you. That is why I am here today. This loyalty will never change, whether I stand inside the palace or outside it. I will always be with you, wherever that may be.
This building does not belong to anyone. It was once a symbol when the legitimately elected president resided here. I take legitimacy along, also the flag, and your trust. Together, we must return this palace to the Orbelians. It is theirs; it was taken from them, but it will always belong to them.
Let us reflect together on what legitimacy truly means. It comes from one source, and that source is you. Without the trust of the people, legitimacy cannot exist. That is why I will always stand with you. I will stand beside you, as one of you,” Zourabichvili stated.