“Of course not,” was his blunt response to journalists who asked him about it, according to information published Sunday by the Imedi 2 Television channel.

Kobajidze also considered imminent the retirement of President Salome Zurabishvili, who declared herself unwilling to step out of office “until there is a legitimate parliament.”

“I understand her emotional state but on the day of the investiture, December 29, she will have to leave her residence and give it to a legitimately elected president,” said the prime minister.

In the parliamentary elections on October 26, the ruling Georgian Dream party won 89 of the 150 seats in the unicameral parliament.

The motley opposition does not recognize the victory of the so-called Eurosceptic sectors, as their deputies refuse to accept credentials and are boycotting the new legislature.

Since last Thursday, after Kobajidze suspended negotiations with the European Union on the accession process until 2028, detractors of the current government have continued with their protests in front of the parliamentary headquarters in Tbilisi.

The demonstrators, who were joined at one point by President Salome Zurabishvili, have thrown blunt objects and fireworks at the police forces, who in turn tried to disperse the crowd with water cannons and tear gas.

As a result, dozens were injured and hundreds other were arrested in recent days, as the capital is gripped by violent protests.

ied/oda/gfa