On August 27, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili signed a presidential decree officially setting October 26 as the date for parliamentary elections in Georgia. 

During the briefing, Zourabichvili criticized the ruling party, condemning its threats against Georgian citizens, including the possibility of war and suppression of dissent. She emphasized the importance of the upcoming elections to get Georgia back on track.

Zourabichvili rejected the ruling Georgian Dream party's narrative that frames the election as a choice between "war and peace." She called this argument a lie, asserting that elections cannot diminish the risks of war and that no one in Georgia desires or is preparing for war. She argued that isolation, internal divisions, vagueness, and ambiguity of goals and priorities are what truly increase the threat of war by making the country vulnerable.

Instead, the President characterized the elections as a referendum on "Europe or Russia." She explained that the Georgian people must choose between past or progress, freedom or slavery, dictatorship or democracy, one-party power or multi-party government, dignity or no principles, Christian tolerance or Russian violence, and independence or occupation. 

Zourabichvili also criticized Bidzina Ivanishvili's April 29 speech, calling it belligerent and accusing him of declaring war on his own people and youth, on patriots within the country, and against Georgia’s international partners abroad. She argued that this speech marked a critical crossroads for Georgia, where the country faces a choice between a European, democratic, and free future or a return to the past under Russian influence, which she described as "cruel and merciless."

Acknowledging that the elections would take place under "really difficult conditions" due to government threats, Zourabichvili asserted that these threats of war and repression "mean nothing" because "there is no government that goes against its people and wins." She urged full societal mobilization, emphasizing that if everyone recognizes their responsibility, "the votes, stability, and future will be fully protected." She warned there would be no second chance for such a choice.