In a sharp rebuke of recent statements by French President Emmanuel Macron, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has dismissed allegations of Russian interference in Georgia’s parliamentary elections as baseless. Macron’s comments, made on January 6, claimed that Russia had intensified its efforts to destabilize Europe, pointing to alleged manipulation in Georgia’s October elections as an example. Kobakhidze responded forcefully, accusing the French president of lying and urging him to focus on Ukraine instead of interfering in Georgian affairs.

During a speech addressing Europe’s current geopolitical challenges, Macron accused Russia of “increasing its aggression” and “shifting the nature of its hostility” towards the continent. He specifically cited Georgia’s parliamentary elections on October 26 as an instance where Moscow allegedly sought to undermine democratic processes. However, Macron did not present concrete evidence to support these claims, which has drawn criticism not only from the Georgian leadership but also from political analysts and observers who question the credibility of his assertions.

When asked about Macron’s allegations on January 7, Prime Minister Kobakhidze dismissed them outright. “I cannot comment on lies. I am commenting on the problem that everyone faces today, which is a devastated Ukraine,” he said. Kobakhidze criticized Macron for deflecting attention from pressing issues such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, suggesting that the French president’s remarks were an attempt to divert blame and shift focus.

“The French president should better follow the events in Ukraine, which has been sacrificed with the aim of........

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