Salome Zourabichvili addresses French National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee

Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zourabichvili, addressed the Foreign Affairs Committee of the French National Assembly, presenting her views on the current political situation in Georgia. Following her speech, a discussion took place, with participation from several French deputies, including former President François Hollande.

Speaking remotely from Tbilisi, Zourabichvili highlighted concerns about Georgia’s democratic challenges, calling the country’s current political system a “one-party regime” where “all institutions are under the control of a single political force led by the ruling party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili.” She described the Georgian Parliament as illegitimate, citing election fraud.

Zourabichvili also warned of Russia’s growing influence in the region, claiming that Moscow is employing a hybrid strategy against Georgia, Moldova, and Romania through election interference, populism, corruption, and propaganda.

In her remarks, Zourabichvili criticized the European Union’s response to the political crisis in Georgia, stating that “Europe’s reaction has been weak” and that the lack of a strong stance on human rights violations, including the detention of protesters and journalists, has challenged the EU’s foreign policy credibility. She called on the EU Council to take a clearer position on these issues.

During the discussion, former French President François Hollande expressed his support and solidarity with the Georgian people, acknowledging Zourabichvili’s longstanding efforts to anchor Georgia in Europe. He also regretted Europe’s soft stance on the situation in Georgia.