French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Bidzina Ivanishvili, the powerful billionaire behind the ruling Georgian Dream party, to express his urgent concerns over the deteriorating state of democracy in the country.
The December 11 call was initiated by Macron and comes amid a violent crackdown on protesters following disputed elections in October that Georgian Dream won.
In a statement published by his office, Macron condemned law enforcement for the use of excessive force against nonviolent protesters and journalists in general.
Your browser doesn’t support HTML5
'Targets': Georgian Journalists Beaten By Masked Men Amid Ongoing Protests (Video)
He called for the immediate release of those arrested without grounds, respect for freedom of expression and demonstration, and inclusive dialogue.
Macron has repeatedly expressed concerns about Georgian Dream's drift away from European values and toward authoritarianism.
The most recent wave of protests was sparked by allegations of electoral fraud during the October 2024 parliamentary elections. The opposition has refused to recognize the result, claiming Georgian Dream rigged the vote to cling to power.
SEE ALSO: Georgian Government Seeks To Ban Fireworks, An Iconic Symbol Of The ProtestsThe protests escalated after law enforcement resorted to excessive force in dispersing peaceful rallies, sparking outrage both domestically and internationally.
Georgian Dream confirmed the conversation with the French leader, saying that Ivanishvili told Macron that Georgia was a "legal state" and that most detainees were held on administrative charges and would be released soon.
Ivanishvili claimed that any arrests on criminal charges were "based on a high standard of evidence" and that "police actions were in line with European standards."
Georgian Dream also added that investigations into alleged police misconduct were under way.
Paris Meeting
A day earlier, Macron hosted Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili in Paris during celebrations for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral.
Zurabishvili, who has been estranged from the Georgian Dream and Ivanishvili, joined the opposition in rejecting the election results.
During her trip to France, she also met with other western leaders, including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
Your browser doesn’t support HTML5
What's Next For Georgia? Four Possible Scenarios: From Snap Elections To Bigger Protests (Video)
Macron appears to be spearheading a Western attempt to find a resolution that aligns with EU values, experts said.
Bidzina Ivanishvili, who holds dual citizenship in Georgia and France, is a significant figure in Georgian politics despite his official retirement from active political leadership.
His vast wealth and political connections have allowed him to maintain influence, and his role in the ruling Georgian Dream party is crucial.