When she answered a journalist's question regarding her refusal to pardon former president Mikheil Saakashvili on December 14, Salome Zourabichvili, the President of Georgia, said she has not refused to pardon Mikheil Saakashvili. "I don't comment on pardons unless I say I am pardoning someone," she added.

"This is not related to the fact that he played a huge role in setting Georgia on this path, not only he but also Shevardnadze. He was the first to open the gate. Zurab Zhvania, whose 60th birthday was celebrated a few days ago, played the main role. Everyone remembers that he was the first to declare: 'I am Georgian, and therefore I am European.' All these individuals, governments, and administrations have played their part. Unfortunately, the governments in Georgia, which start very well, then tend to become a bit autocratic," the president said.

In response to Zourabichvili, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze stated that she had a principled position, but today, she has a different opinion. Kaladze answered: "I cannot rule out anything; she makes statements, and they follow an agenda that makes everything expected."

When asked about the possible resignation of Salome Zourabichvili, her participation in the elections, and her chances of success, Kaladze answered that she could not bring any changes in the current Georgian political situation, even in the opposition spectrum.