DFWatch staff 
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tensions are growing in Abkhazia after the runoff in the breakaway republic’s presidential elections, as the opposition refuses to accept the lead by incumbent de facto president Raul Khajimba. There is a high likelihood that the result will ultimately be declared invalid, a person close to Sokhumi officials told DFWatch. Incumbent de facto president … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–A brawl broke out at the parliament building in Tbilisi Sunday, after anti-government protesters yelled at a MP that he was a “Russian slave”. Emzar Kvitsiani, an MP representing the far-right Alliance of Patriots and once a militia commander in Kodori Gorge, physically assaulted several members of the anti-government rally at the entrance to … Read more
President Donald Trump nominates Kelly C. Degnan of California to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Georgia, who currently serves as the Political Advisor to the Commander of United States Naval Forces Europe – United States Naval Forces Africa Ms. Degnan, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister Counselor, previously was … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze resigned Monday, stating that mission is accomplished. Announcing his resignation on Facebook, the outgoing PM also confirmed his allegiance to the ruling Georgian Dream party. In the more than 4,000 words long statement, Bakhtadze asserts that it was his own decision to resign. “The purpose and main mandate of … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze will be replaced by incumbent Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Gakharia several Georgian media outlets reported Saturday, based on sources within the ruling Georgian Dream party. Some outlets report that Bakhtadze may be replaced by Maia Tskitishvili, the Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure. No specific reasons for the replacement … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–South Ossetia’s ultimatum to Georgia to remove a checkpoint was not fulfilled, but the deadline passed without incident Friday. Another meeting was held within the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in the village of Tsnelisi, and like Thursday’s meeting it ended without agreement, but the parties agreed to continue the dialogue. Meanwhile, Tskhinvali … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–The situation along the de facto border of South Ossetia further worsened on Thursday after representative of breakaway authorities put forward an ultimatum to Georgia to dismantle a checkpoint at the village Chorchana, in Khashuri municipality. If Georgia doesn’t dismantle the checkpoint by 6 am Friday morning, Tskhinvali authorities will “resort to all lawful … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–The situation along the de facto border of South Ossetia remains tense as Tskhinvali sent armed forces to prevent the construction of a police checkpoint by the Georgian side. The checkpoint is being built in the vicinity of Georgian village Chorchana. “In connection with the provocative attempts of the Georgian security forces to illegally … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–There will be a runoff election for de facto president of breakaway Abkhazia on September 8, since none of the candidates received over 50% of votes in the first round on Sunday. Incumbent de facto president Raul Khajimba is in the lead, trailed by Oleg Arshba and Alhaz Kvitsinia, according to preliminary results. Although … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Two politicians from the German far-right AfD were among the foreign observers who were present during Sunday’s election for de facto president of Abkhazia. The election was not recognized by Georgia. Among the dozens of international observers to the elections were Stefan Keuter, member of the German Bundestag representing the far-right AfD, Gunnar Norbert … Read more