It is very regrettable and shameful, what I’ve been seeing and hearing for the past two days regarding the reasons behind withdrawing Zurab [Pololikashvili]’s candidacy in the upcoming election – unfortunately, Georgian Dream has dealt yet another serious blow to our country’s image on the international stage and has pleased the Russians, – this is how former Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze responds to the withdrawal of Zurab Pololikashvili’s candidacy for the head of the UN World Tourism Organization.

As the former head of the Foreign Ministry writes, it is laughable to claim that Georgian Dream, by taking this step, was protecting Georgia’s democratic image.

“Zurab Pololikashvili’s election as head of the UN World Tourism Organization in 2017 was a great victory for Georgia. Georgia, both then and now, is represented in international organizations in very small numbers and in low-level positions. This was the first and very important precedent of a Georgian being elected to such a high-ranking post, which strengthened Georgia’s diplomatic standing. Also, because this is a sectoral international organization and tourism is the main driver of our economy, it had major economic significance — as clearly seen by the international events held in Georgia. It is also worth noting Zurab Pololikashvili’s firm and principled stance regarding the membership of the Russian Federation in the organization, following Russia’s war against Ukraine in 2022.

Zurab’s victory in the election was due to his personal merit and the result of a very active support campaign and diplomatic effort by the Georgian government. Everyone — from the Prime Minister down to other relevant public officials — was fully mobilized to achieve this result. There was fierce competition, and the election of Georgia’s candidate to such a high position would not have been possible otherwise.

It is very regrettable and shameful, what I’ve been seeing and hearing over the past two days regarding the reasons behind the withdrawal of Zurab’s candidacy in the upcoming election.

It is laughable to claim that Georgian Dream, by doing this, was protecting Georgia’s democratic image. The international democratic community already recognizes Georgian Dream as an authoritarian regime — one that expels ambassadors of democratic countries with verbal abuse — and now, supposedly, it listened to the ambassadors’ recommendation.

It is appalling that Georgian Dream became offended and demanded his dismissal just because Zurab appointed Tea Maisuradze under contract. So apparently, if you don’t align with the regime’s position, you’re not even allowed to work in an international organization.

It is unheard of to replace your own nominated candidate with that of another country — and to do so publicly. If there were a valid reason, there are other diplomatic ways to resolve such matters.

Unfortunately, Georgian Dream has once again dealt a serious blow to our country’s image on the international stage and brought joy to the Russians. This is how we’re headed toward that so-called ‘sovereignty,’ which in reality means isolation from the democratic world,” Mikheil Janelidze writes on Facebook.