Prepared by Messenger Staff
Papuashvili Says New Elections Might Solve Political Crisis in France
Georgian Dream's Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, has responded sharply to comments made by the French Ambassador to Georgia, Shereaz Gasri, regarding the political situation in Georgia. Papuashvili's remarks, posted on social media, suggested that France itself might benefit from new elections, referencing public dissatisfaction with French President Emmanuel Macron.
"I'm not saying that I intend to interfere in France's domestic politics, but considering that 61% of the French support President Macron's resignation and 50% want the dissolution of the National Assembly, new elections might be a good solution to the political crisis," Papuashvili wrote.
The comments came after Gasri, in a post on platform X, relayed Macron's view that new elections in Georgia could help resolve its political crisis. The exchange highlights tensions between Georgia and France amid ongoing debates about democratic processes in the region.
Pia Kauma: OSCE Visit to Georgia Postponed to Avoid Perception of Government Endorsement
Pia Kauma, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and a member of the Finnish Parliament, explained in an interview with Radio Liberty that her postponed visit to Georgia was never intended to signal recognition of the current government. She emphasized the OSCE's neutrality, stating their primary objective is to observe elections, identify shortcomings, and recommend improvements without taking sides. The visit, originally planned for January 8-10, was indefinitely postponed after Kauma concluded that meeting only government representatives would create the wrong impression. "If I came to Tbilisi and met only with government representatives, it would create exactly the image that I did not want to portray - that we support the government," Kauma said.
Kauma revealed that opposition parties had requested she postpone her visit or meet certain conditions, including setting a date for new elections and releasing detained protesters, which she found unfeasible at the time. She added that the ruling Georgian Dream party had shown willingness to meet and discuss recommendations from the ODIHR report on elections, but the lack of broader consensus led to the delay. "We realized that in this very difficult and tense situation, our visit would only be fruitful if we met with all the important parties," she explained, reiterating that the OSCE does not determine the legitimacy of governments and would not undermine Georgia's sovereignty by doing so.
