**Georgia’s Leadership Under Fire for Comments on Diplomatic Interference**
A heated exchange has erupted in Georgia over comments made by the country’s Speaker of Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili. In a statement addressed to foreign diplomats, Papuashvili urged them to respect the Vienna Convention and allow the Georgian people to make their choice without interference. However, this message was met with strong criticism from Levan Sanikidze, a leader of the “Unity – National Movement” party.
According to Sanikidze, calling for a fair electoral environment and human rights protection does not constitute interference in Georgia’s internal affairs. He questioned why diplomats had never been seen at rallies before elections, suggesting that this was a baseless accusation. Sanikidze also pointed out that the country is currently blocking an OSCE long-term mission to monitor the electoral process, which he described as a “pure Russian special operation”.
**The Real Issue: European Integration**
Sanikidze’s strongest criticism, however, was directed at Papuashvili himself. He suggested that instead of talking about traditional Georgian food like khinkali (dumplings), the Speaker should focus on European integration. This implies that Sanikidze sees Papuashvili’s comments as a distraction from more pressing issues facing Georgia.
**Asset Declarations and Corruption**
Sanikidze also responded to the announcement by the Anti-Corruption Bureau that it was reviewing the asset declaration of Mamuka Khazaradze, a leader of the “Lelo – Strong Georgia” party. Sanikidze questioned the timing of this move, suggesting that it was an attempt to divert attention from the real issue of corruption within the ruling party, “Georgian Dream”.
**A Deepening Crisis**
The exchange between Sanikidze and Papuashvili reflects a deeper crisis in Georgia’s leadership. The country is facing significant challenges ahead of local self-government elections, including concerns over electoral manipulation and human rights abuses. As tensions rise, it remains to be seen how these issues will play out.
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