**Georgian Parliament Chairman Slams Joint Statement by Macron, Merz, and Tusk**
In a scathing criticism, Shalva Papuashvili, the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, has lashed out at a joint statement made by Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, and Donald Tusk. The statement, which was seen as an insult to Georgian Dream supporters, has been met with widespread anger in the country.
According to Papuashvili, the three European leaders had “erased” 1.12 million people from modern history by implying that only radical opposition voters were part of the Georgian people. This, he said, was a undemocratic move that undermined the values of democracy. “When heads of state take it upon themselves to speak on behalf of other people, this is not democracy,” Papuashvili emphasized.
The Chairman of the Parliament also pointed out that no Georgian citizen had given a mandate to these leaders to speak on their behalf. “They are speaking to us on behalf of the Georgian people. This is not democracy, but the approaches of the 19th and 20th centuries. How all this is being displayed so shamelessly in the 21st century is surprising to me,” he said.
**A deeper look at the controversy**
The joint statement by Macron, Merz, and Tusk has been seen as a significant development in the ongoing political turmoil in Georgia. The country’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, has been embroiled in a dispute with the opposition over issues such as electoral reform and alleged corruption.
In this context, Papuashvili’s comments are significant because they highlight the deepening divisions between the government and the international community on these issues. By labeling the joint statement as undemocratic, the Chairman of the Parliament is essentially saying that the three European leaders have overstepped their bounds in trying to influence Georgia’s internal politics.
**What’s next?**
As tensions continue to rise between the Georgian government and the opposition, it remains to be seen how this controversy will play out. Will the international community continue to pressure Georgia on electoral reform and other issues? Or will the country’s government push back against what it sees as unwarranted interference?
One thing is certain: the joint statement by Macron, Merz, and Tusk has exposed deep-seated differences between the Georgian government and the European leaders. And for Papuashvili and his supporters, this controversy serves as a reminder of the need to defend Georgia’s sovereignty and democracy.
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