the environment is not responsible make up your own mind, dw, made for mines, the spelling briefing and time, and we asked the question whether europe is actually caring about what's happening in georgia right now. more than 300 arrests. the european union says, thousands of people on the streets, we're recording this on thursday as a protest and to day 15 in the georgia and capital tbilisi. and i'm very pleased to have on the line from right that i'm back to the georgia dream. so he's a senior fellow at the george and foundation for us to t ticket international studies. and here in the studio with me, i have mrs. tuan, he's a phone correspondent in moscow on berlin for the site. and we clean news magazine for he's also been in turkey for that magazine. now he most recently also wrote

a big book on vladimir putin revenge as you puts it. so you put some perspective in connection with the rush, so therefore us. but 1st i want to ask and box it up a dream. what is happening right now in the georgia and capital? but thank you for having me up. at the moment, people are preparing to go back to the rest of valley avenue. a usual place where myself and tens of thousands of george's congregate every every evening and trying to reach out to the one of the dictator initiate and tell him that it is time for him to go. that we would not stand idly as he is consolidating a state of capture. this is exactly what he considers as the

oligarchs dream, although his party is called the georgia dream. but what he has done is an oligarchs 3. and also it is a russian dream. like you mentioned a yes, hooting views eventually, and this machine, as he's revenge on the freedom loving georgians, who tried to break away from his cereal, thoughts, and who basically, uh, getting in a way of his project of making russia great again. or the project that is supposed to substitute his inability to deliver the quality of life life standards to his citizens. and he's now basically replacing a decent living for russians by installing this idea of great to russia events. really, of course he is the only god choose founded the georgia dream pa,

to which one the october elections. there are question marks over how free that the environment and these elections we saw in an extra report that said that there was lots of intimidation. but the o s. c, e, the organization who sent observers the stop sort of course of declaring these elect since not free and said nobody's calling for a repeat of these elections of the same time. there are concerns over this and that particular concerns over these arrests and violence against demonstrate as i mentioned. i want to bring you in here because we saw him on with my call. cool. mr . yvonne is really on wednesday and voice concerns over the violence and actually asking for the country to enter a dialogue at taking into account also the opposition concerns. this is actually one european state, acting alone. apart from that we seen statements of concern also from kaya kyle us,

the new hi representative for foreign policy in the european union, but of the rules of other european countries. apart from that phone cool, we've only seen victor old bond travel that and basically congratulate mr. yvonne, it should be, he's a friend of his. so what do we make of how europe is positioning itself to what stores are right now? well, i, i think europe is severely distracted and not paying enough attention to what's happening now. because georgia is it pivots, so a country um, in the region, and it's a pivotal country for, for europe as well. um and not only if we look at the caucasus region that all to be younger sent to asia and, and what i think is, was overdue. the dot president my call called but i think of the european leaders should call as well. and the european union should get involved more

strongly. i understand, of course, that the european union was in a state of transition over the past weeks and months. but now the new commission to definitely get engaged and not let russia basically organize the field and, and to the political, the, the political opposition and on and support the government against the opposition when they are doing very actively. now we bumped into each other at a farm ministry briefing we did, which was on a very different topic of but the, the argument was that look the european farm and it says i'm meeting next monday. that is talk that, that could potentially be talk with sanctions that it what's also potentially on the table is that a visa using a visa applications could be revoked, but we do know, i mean, this is, this will be mold in the, almost

a 3rd week into the protests of what we have heard though, is we've heard from the native secretary general mock route. so let's just take a listen to what he said. what i'm seeing at this moment is of a allies are making clear that any actions that undermine democracy in georgia or to take democracy further. also issue up to more e u, a natural integration, you atlantic integration. so to say that a really a search to georgia and governments to stay on the path de decide with a couple of years ago, but to be active home and not to retreat. now this is interesting because together with ukraine, georgia was now in for leslie denied the path towards nato membership. it's no one knew that. and then of course, with parts of georgia, occupied by russian forces. and this is not going to be on the costs any time soon, but about so that i would like to bring you in. how much did the opposition,

how much did protest is on the street and feel of protected and actually backed up by this statement. with your permission, could i go back to your previous state? sure, uh, with the words, i respectfully disagree. first of all the or so you has not published its final state. no, but the initial report is out and. and in the end, the most important charge and the reason why are hundreds of thousands of georgians protests. the selection, n y o of george's allies are extremely concerned is use after that this vote was stolen. we're not talking about minor irregularities and intimidation. we're talking about volts dipping in floating by direct balance stuff thing which is we do that we have to base it on the record, including by multiple voting by individuals hired by the georgia dream

and supplied with tens of ideas and bossed around various voting precincts, etc. this was the systemic rigging, volt, stealing, which fundamentally changed the up to come georgia in the past never had ideally smooth the elections, but this is probably the 1st one which in which the government basically stole the outcome of the vote. that is the problem. number 2, we have many, actually, most of our georgia's partners have said that the, the georgia of sort of diesel actually, i, i wouldn't call them the goldman and the sort is now a dfcs to government, which has no legitimate basis of running the country. the whole idea is that we are the mom to the re, from all the election under the international supervision. and these,

these demands are coming also from our allies. and yes, it's the one who's friends with all sorts. so also the tatty and i review the dictators is the only one who embraced even is really and his claim. uh, based on his own uh, values i guess um, but it's, it's, uh, it's nowhere near uh any sort of international, legit, immunization. so this is where we are now. the georgian people, george's allies. oh, the month, the reader on all the election, even those who haven't officially recognized this election as illegal none have recognized the vote as, as a democratic and a binding. so we are now in this impasse, what we need, the human is really are seem to back down. and the main idea of a present across

a phone call was to somehow encourage yvonne is really doris seeing his region position. and as to your question, uh, actually, but would also correct on the back of you mentioned the 300 people were detained. hundreds more were detained over 300 people with vote to lead, beaten up by the police as after the way to detain. because this has become a tech sticks of the government of trying to intimidate people. there, one must be things 1st by the right police. then they changed tactics because they saw that people are gold afraid, destitute their worst through. cummings back to the rest of the new, then they employed the so called to escape the spots the nation aries, which were 1st so in your great instead of 14, which were hunting people in the allies. and so kind of brutally beating them up.

that didn't work either at this stage, they are trying to approach this with invitation with individual lead the actions against activists or even sometimes a random people, whoever have shown at the raleigh, whoever have any sort of influence for us. there's a well known people that are trying to create this atmosphere of fear by bringing a legal criminal charges or administrative charges against individual young people . but we're not afraid we'll be back or somebody this night as well as that. i'm grateful for your intervention that at the point i'm trying to make is that although it was an unusually strong statement from the observers and i myself have been in the past and election observer in 2004. i was elections of it's over in georgia. it was very strong, but neither the o s. e, of which russia is

a member. know, the european union which has verified 300 people are being arrested. i'm going by those official figures has officially called for a repeat of the elections and we have the next elections coming up this saturday. so this leaves us in a situation we have what we have an individual lead. i'm on with my call. cool on these rest to stop the harassment of people who are on the streets to stop and no violence, but he too has not called for a repeat of the election. so let me say, where does this leave the responsibility of european countries and what kind of signal does this this moment in time send to moscow, which of course still continues to see georgia as it's frontier. well,

the problem is that we see most called banking entirely of the present government, which has been elected in a severe manipulative defects. and i think this is what we can clearly say in the state. and, and i've given also the fact that the exit polls indicated some 40 percent for the georgia dream. and then it was 53 in india. in the end it was 13 percent more, something we have never, ever seen in any democratic election during the election night. but any way, so we see that most call clearly takes us down a strong stance, supporting this government. it's by a government but will means, where is the european union tries to somehow stay in contact with the government. and on the other hand, calls for dialogue. but of course, stops fault, but is stopped short of, of any,

any direct interference. so we are basically playing by the rules, whereas most call is not. and this is exactly the same claim book play book we have seen in, in, in 2014 ukraine where moscow was not playing by the play and violating rules and interfering in all kinds of, of ways, ways. european politicians. yes. clearly they appeared on the, my don and as also some european politicians appeared on other stuff really boulevard these days. but there is so it's, it's, it's a non even paying fee of that's what i wanted to say. and, and i think we have to reconsider the measures and, and the approach we're having given the very aggressive stance of russia, so on surprising the, i'm glad you mentioned ukraine. we're hearing very different action. and a very different tone coming from volume is lensky,

ukraine's present on georgia. let's take a listen to that issue and i have just signed a degree that gives effect to the national security and defense concepts, decision insights, and the sanctions target. the part of the trojan government that is surrendering, tried to put in business the very issue that disputing the protests in charge of right now. it is crucial that our partners also voiced a position, now openly declaring what is happening and action must be taken. so ukraine on the baltic states imposing sanctions, the your opinion is not speaking with the united vote voice. i want to throw that back to you and busta. what impact is that having on how this is playing out in georgia, particularly ahead of ki elections on south today, where the current president is saying she will not let herself be voted out of office until there is a repeat of these are next the 1st of all george's believes that it is up to us uh

to a wing back our freedom. we are not counting by the way on any meaningful action by the or see which while includes russian. it's not realistic to expect even a document that would be very plainly stating the facts number a number to even the european union. and i haven't got it in foreign minister the 2 days ago said plainly that he's country with blog, any sections including on those stocks, perpetrating this crimes against peaceful demonstrators. so both institutions are basically hostages of all the elements within which, which have very strong conflicts of interest,

including regarding georgia and regarding democracy in, in general. and yes, individual countries now have been voicing their strong support with the georgian people and a specific measures against the representatives all the regime s for the so called election. oh, the president. as you probably are aware that there will be no election, it will be the appointment of the new president by the electoral council which is directly at 100 percent controlled by registry. and this means that as long as this deadlock is in place as long as legit and with georgia, lex, a legitimate parliament and the government, there will be no real new president. and this is why presidents elements what up the street as about to stay in her position as long before

before she gets a proper, legitimate replacement. so, and i think she can count on for support of the georgian people. i think the at the center of the provost actions will move towards the presidential palace. um, when, when this happens, when the government. ready will announce the appointment of the new phone, the president, and by the way, it is quite symbolic. that missed a varnish, really has selected the least qualified person. you can imagine to hold that even though symbolic, but very important is jewish and a former footballer. but also a lot, even of a better one among the footballers. very mediocre fuller in the past. and the

1st and the who failed to run for the presidency of the football association of georgia because the he lacks at education. as all i know, just a higher degree, but any education he's basically illiterate and this is an insult to the georgia people. a final insult, a very symbolic gesture on part of the vice. really, this is what he thinks of george's democratic institutions. this is a classical state capture. many people compare the candidate for the president to a very famous horse from the history, from the roman history. and actually, well because the one issue is love for animals in his private zoo. uh, and he's going to affinity toward zebra z here will usually these are referred as a, eventually zebra. but, but the situation is, is not funny at all. i just want to put this into context. mr. event is really,

he's, he's essentially, and all the guys who made his fortune in russia. he's now lives in georgia. he's famous or infamous for apparently owning a zebra and collecting old trees, which are transported from all out of the country to his estate, which is above the capsule. at to please see there's a cable call, which i'm told is not functioning at the moment, which leads up to his estate and he overlooks the capital. so it's, it's a bit of a james bond like kind of scenario. and now we have the current president selling me, is there a piece of eating warning that there actually is a terra? and she says tara, on the citizens of georgia on the use and various segments of society. we're speaking here on, says a, a mission. we're heading up to sas a day where there will be these presidential elections, which of by looks and means will lead to constitutional crisis in the country. if

we have this conflict of who is actually legitimately elected, i just want to, we put this question to the spokes person of the german foreign minister at a press conference here on wednesday. and this is the response we got or so downwards gets loud. so i believe we have made our position on the events in charge of very clear just a few days ago, there was a statement from the foreign ministers of divine law trying and to, to surely not gone unnoticed. that the question of how to deal with the charge is on the agenda for the european union. concert of ministers next monday is also minister us. so it will cation on you on this one. so on monday, and that statement also issued and that it expressed concerns. we also heard that from the spokesperson of kyra colors, the representative of for foreign affairs of the european union, newly appointed and but doesn't go beyond that. so does,

does europe have this time or what is going on? well, i'd say and from seen from this respect that we would have as of set to day, probably 2 presidents of georgia sort of as we would obviously and, and the football star we, the european union has then time to reflect on sunday and decides on monday on whom to recognize or who to support. and because i'm sure the answer from moscow will be of course we support the new the elected president and mrs. who obviously would be voted out of office. so um, but as we have a constitutional crisis, and there are many doubts about the legitimacy of the new parliament, all this has to be voice by the foreign ministers and, and i think also the kind of tendency has to be visible on

the support. because i think you are of come to stay aloof and, and stay neutral on this question as other interested parties of so active. but hangover, you will have a veto. it's definitely so, but um it's, it's always possible that if we, if we found that many times and we know that because hungry and because victo old on is the basic the acting of letting me approve teams behalf on every foreign policy issue. and as, as, as prudence and basset to the you and it's, it's, it's a general procedure that then other european countries would come together and basically, and come out with a statement. we do that also on many different issues in the world. so why not in this, in this case? i'm boston a veteran. so what would be your expectation?

what would help georgians, those who are risking their own security by going onto the streets as well. i think the most important part is for the european nations and their union to stay true to their principles. georgia is fighting for is a democratic future at georgia is a front line country of democracy. there's also needs to be taken to account it's, it's not an isolated far away country, which you have those little that it will directly affect the european interest. so it's a mixture combination of value space policy and also strict jewel politics. and both should be taken into into account. and it looks like russia traditionally unders to the value of georgia to the european union, better than many european countries themselves. for instance, george's international faction as

a breach between the white or black sea region and the wider casting, ah, see region the central asian region. so rich with the resources. so rich with huge untapped economic potential. and georgia is basically the link, the only link between these 2 vast regions that would gain a div access to the central asian nations toward the european markets. the old site, brushing control or outside the running control. and the same same goes for the european union. we are the way of reaching out to these nations and how this would help further diversify energy imports and in the health center of energy security over here in union,

there's 2 and i cannot tell, but to connect again was to the, the record. this is not a football star, georgia has many football starts. he's not one of them. is a former mediocre football or her place in, in russia. okay. well, he played and i, i the time, but i really love, i did check it out. i better if he was the best of football say, i think that wouldn't qualify him necessarily for the because it was, it was any way that would be some toys, like letting all to greenville and being able to take. uh we have like i said, georgia is a great foot bullying. nature says we have many football. so that's including those who played in germany who play now in italy and perhaps when i'm there. but the big italian championship who play in england, who planes bay and i, we have many football stars and we have many retired foldable stuff. he's not one of the from the gentleman point of view. let me say that friends beck invalid was good. that he was kaiser,

but that he never became john. so let's just agree that being able to play football as an add on for a politician and not the q fall if the case. and that was button briefing for this week, we'll be back in 7 days. time and you'll find us on youtube at dw news on dw dot com a valid and briefing an old native pod costs platforms once a week from now on woodson if you don't want to wait another week for news on the current dumb and political drama and the german view on the events world wide, we've also got a dw button briefing news so so do sign up for that and thank you very much. i the choosing practice primaries who it's now monitoring, imposed in the and it's been hugely popular due to the very real rates because by

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countries talk like get in the this is dw, do so these are our top stories muslims in syria have celebrated their 1st friday prayers since the collapse of the assad. rashid brows gathered in damascus today earlier the leader of the forces that toppled the sod posted a video congratulating the syrian people urging all to celebrate what he called the victory of the revolution. francois by root has been appointed, as francis knew, prime minister, a centrist ally of president emanuel macro, and we will try to lead the government at a time of instability in france.