New opinion poll reveals GD will win local elections unless Georgian opposition joins forces
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch--A new opinion poll conducted by the Institute for Social Studies and Analysis (ISSA) reveals that support for the opposition—particularly in the capital, Tbilisi—remains high. The nationwide poll reveals a deep dissatisfaction with the Georgian Dream (GD) government and support for opposition groups, heading toward local elections scheduled for October 4. The survey found that 57.1% of Georgians believe the country is heading [...]
Three opposition figures in prison as Georgia gets ready for local elections
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Three oppsition figures are currently in pre-trial detention, raising concerns about the political situation ahead of the local elections scheduled for October 4. The three jailed opposition politicians are Zurab Japaridze, Nika Melia, [...]
News
Former PM, now leader of opposition party, faces possible charges over 2019 border standoff
TBILISI, DFWatch--In Georgia, prosecutors have reopened case about a 2019 border incident involving former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, who is the leader of one of the few opposition parties planning to participate in this year's [...]
Students rally against the Georgian government
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Students protested in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi on June 14, expressing both anger over instances of injustice domestically as well as how the country has become a target of international criticism. Outside Tbilisi State [...]
Georgia brings up killing of Tamaz Ginturi at IPRM talks
(EUMM.) TBILISI, DFWatch--The Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) met again on June 11 in Ergneti to discuss issues along the administrative border line. Participants reviewed recent incidents, including restrictions on movement, illegal detentions, and [...]
Georgia again detains opposition figure Nika Gvaramia
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Opposition figure and TV director Nika Gvaramia was detained in Tbilisi today, sparking an outcry among supporters. The arrest followed shortly after a court session, where it was decided to revoke Gvaramia's bail [...]
Opera star turned politician suggests ‘Third Republic’ in Georgia
Paata Burchuladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Opera singer and political figure Paata Burchuladze has suggestwd convening a 'national congress' to form a 'Third Republic', as a way of pushing back against what he calls an illegitimate government. [...]
Donald Tusk spearheading renewed attempt to shut down EU’s visa-free travel for Georgians
Donald Tusk apologized if his initiative caused offense to anyone in Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Another push is underway to convince European Union member states to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian citizens. Leading the charge is [...]
In Georgia, journalists and activists are asked to explain their “offensive” social media posts in court
Elene Khoshtaria. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Several high-profile Georgian journalists, activists and opposition politicians have been summoned to court for allegedly insulting public officials online. TV anchors Vakho Sanaia and Vika Bukia, opposition figure Elene Khoshtaria and [...]
Georgian opposition leader holds consultations with EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch--United National Movement (UNM) chair Tina Bokuchava is one of the speakers at the German Marshall Fund’s annual Brussels Forum, a high-level transatlantic gathering of policymakers, diplomats, business leaders and experts. Bokuchava, who recently revealed that [...]
Judge prevents media from covering trial of doctor facing 20 years on drug charges after attending opposition rally
Giorgi Akhobadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Hearings in the trial of a doctor who was arrested on his way home from an opposition rally last December have been tense. Now, the judge has closed the hearings to [...]
Georgia: How to Be Rational and Coherent in That Disbalanced World? – A Conversation with Professor Neil Macfarlane
Tedo Japaridze I acquainted with Neil Macfarlane since the last century: it was 1990 when we met each other for the first time at some round table held by the Georgian MFA to discuss the [...]
Europe and Georgia
Georgia will not compromise its sovereignty in pursuit of EU integration, PM Kobakhidze says at CPAC Hungary
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DWWatch--Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said this in a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Budapest, which gathered traditionalist and right-wing [...]
Minorities
Georgian Dream is preparing a bill against “ideology of pseudo-liberals” and “wilful propaganda of non-traditional lifestyle”
TBILISI, DFWatch--Georgian Dream is in the process of preparing a legislative initiative to "protect society from pseudo-liberal ideology" and its inevitable harmful consequences." The country may face such a situation when "we will be asked [...]
NGO News
Georgian NGOs, media snub foreign agent law, suspend cooperation with government
Tbilisi, DFWatch-Over a hundred non-governmental and media organizations declare their open disobedience to the foreign influence draft law initiated by the Georgian authorities and suspend all cooperation with the government [...]
GD and far-right Conservative Movement lead: TI report on party donations
The Conservative Movement, a far-right pro-Russian political party notorious for violence against LGBTQ activists and journalists, was second only to the ruling Georgian Dream in the last quarter of 2022 [...]
Civic groups in Georgia campaign to help Ukrainian refugees left out in the street
(Razom.ge) Georgian civic groups and activists have launched a fundraising campaign to provide temporary housing for Ukrainian refugees who were left out in the street after the end of state [...]