Georgian officials criticize Macron’s comments, suggest his resignation

The Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, has suggested that French President Emmanuel Macron should consider resigning as a solution to the political crisis in France.

This comment follows remarks made by French Ambassador to Tbilisi, Sheraz Gasri, regarding Macron’s stance on Georgia's political turmoil, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

Gasri, in a recent social media post, expressed that President Macron views new parliamentary elections in Georgia as a potential resolution to the political crisis there. He also highlighted Macron’s admiration for the courage of demonstrators and President Salome Zourabichvili, and emphasized the importance of addressing the crisis through elections.

Gasri further referenced Macron's remarks at an annual meeting with French ambassadors, where he claimed that Russia had undermined Georgia’s electoral processes by engaging in ballot stuffing.

In response, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze criticized Macron’s comments, suggesting that the French president should focus on Ukraine, where, according to Kobakhidze, Russia’s interference is more prominent.

“If Russia is meddling in the affairs of neighboring countries, it is in Ukraine,” Kobakhidze stated, urging Macron to pay attention to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which he described as "sacrificed for destruction."

Meanwhile, Speaker Papuashvili, while refraining from directly interfering in French domestic politics, proposed early presidential election and the dissolution of the National Assembly as a potential solution to the political crisis in France. He cited public opinion, with 61 per cent of the French population reportedly in favor of Macron’s resignation and 50 per cent supporting the dissolution of the National Assembly. Papuashvili suggested that new elections could help resolve the current political situation in France.

Opposition groups in Tbilisi have been staging daily protests since November 28 of last year, calling for new parliamentary elections. They assert that the previous elections were totally rigged by the authorities.

By Vafa Guliyeva