Macron condemns violence, pressures on civil society in phone call with Ivanishvili

The Elysee Palace press service announced that French President Emmanuel Macron held a telephone conversation on Wednesday with Bidzina Ivanishvili, Honorary Chair and founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party.

According to the press release, Macron condemned the pressure exerted on civil society and opposition representatives in Georgia, as well as the violence used against peaceful protesters and journalists. He also called for the release of all those detained during the protests.

“He condemned the pressure exerted on civil society and opposition representatives, as well as the violence by law enforcement agencies against peaceful protesters and journalists. The President demanded the release of all those detained and called for respect for the freedoms of expression and assembly”, the press office said.

The French President also expressed regret over Georgia’s deviation from its European course, noting that the relationship between the European Union and Georgia would inevitably be affected by this. He called for an inclusive dialogue with all political parties and civil society representatives, in line with the European and democratic aspirations of the Georgian people.

In contrast, the Georgian Dream ruling party had made no mention of any criticism from Macron.

Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of the ruling party, responded to the phone call by urging President Salome Zourabichvili to “strongly condemn her friend” Macron for the conversation.

Mdinaradze called Zourabichvili’s approach to the “democratically elected government” unfair, expressing hope that the “civilized world” would engage constructively with Georgia’s Government.