**Former Georgian President’s Proposal Sparks Outrage**
In a scathing critique, Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of Georgia’s Parliament, has attacked a proposal by former president Salome Zurabishvili to hold elections under international administration. This move, according to Papuashvili, is an attempt to undermine the country’s independence and sovereignty.
**A Threat to Georgian Independence**
Papuashvili sees this initiative as a serious threat to Georgia’s hard-won freedom from Soviet rule. He argues that Zurabishvili’s suggestion effectively means surrendering control over elections and governance to outside powers, rendering the country an “ordinary vassal state.” The speaker emphasizes that this is not only undignified but also undermines the nation’s ability to self-govern.
**A Betrayal of Georgian Values**
The Speaker suggests that Zurabishvili’s proposal reveals a deeper intent to erode Georgia’s national identity and sovereignty, values that were hard-won during its struggle for independence. Papuashvili notes that Georgia was among the first European-style republics in the early 20th century and argues that any attempt to compromise this legacy is unacceptable.
**The Implication: A Loss of Sovereignty**
By proposing international administration of elections, Zurabishvili’s initiative implies a willingness to cede control over governance to external powers. This raises questions about the very purpose of Georgia’s struggle for independence from Soviet rule and whether it was all for nothing if the country is willing to surrender its sovereignty.
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