Saturday, December 6, 2025

Crowds target mayor’s campaign office day after mob violence

TBILISI, September 9 – Tensions are rising in Georgia’s capital as protesters march through Tbilisi’s streets targeting the campaign headquarters of mayor and ruling party candidate Kakha Kaladze, where a mob violently attacked protesters yesterday. Crowds gathered near the Philharmonic building before moving to Melikishvili Street, where they dismantled metal barricades and blocked the entrance … Read more

Georgia eyes nationalizing planned mega dam projects as investors flee

TBILISI, September 9 – Talk of giant hydropower plants in Georgia has all but vanished. Projects once hailed as key to the country’s energy future have stalled, investors have pulled out, and officials now speak cautiously about how to move forward. Experts warn that Georgia’s energy sector is stuck. Years of protests against dams, combined … Read more

Poland launches historic freight route to China

TBILISI, September 9 – A freight train packed with European goods has set off from Warsaw to Beijing along a new branch of the “New Silk Road,” marking the first time the route has been used in this direction. Polish logistics operator PKP Cargo Connect said the train left its terminal carrying products from Poland, … Read more

Georgia’s pension fund tops 7.4 billion lari

TBILISI, September 9 – Georgia’s pension fund now counts 1.67 million participants, according to figures released at the end of August. The Pension Agency reported that by August 31, 2025, a total of 22,843 people had already tapped into their accumulated pensions, with payouts exceeding 100.3 million lari (around USD 37 million). The fund’s assets … Read more

Ruling party supporters attacked opposition protesters in Georgia’s capital: Rights group

TBILISI, September 9 – Clashes last night outside the campaign office of Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, from the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, was political violence, a rights group said. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association reported that GD supporters armed with iron rods attacked peaceful protesters and journalists near Hotel Georgia. Videos showed demonstrators beaten, … Read more

Jailed Georgian editor wins European media prize

TBILISI, September 9 – A Georgian editor jailed after slapping a police chief during a protest has been named one of six winners of Europe’s Free Media Award, given by Norway’s Fritt Ord Foundation and Germany’s ZEIT Stiftung Bucerius. Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder of the outlets Netgazeti and Batumelebi, has become a symbol of Georgia’s embattled … Read more

Georgia prolongs ID card registration drive ahead of elections

TBILISI, September 9 – Georgia has extended its discount ID card campaign, giving eligible citizens more time to apply ahead of October’s local elections. The State Services Development Agency had originally announced the half-price offer would run until September 5, but officials now say the program will remain open until September 19. The discount applies … Read more

Street fight outside ruling party HQ leaves dozens injured in Tbilisi

TBILISI, September 9 – A protest outside the campaign headquarters of ruling party candidate Kakha Kaladze erupted into violence last night, leaving at least 10 people injured. The clash broke out on Melikishvili Avenue in Tbilisi, where demonstrators gathered to denounce the Georgian Dream (GD) government. Protesters claim they were attacked by GD supporters, including … Read more

Georgia eyes introducing unemployment insurance

TBILISI, September 8 – Georgia’s government has revived talks on introducing unemployment insurance, a social safety net that is standard across much of the West but has never been implemented in the country. The idea has circulated for years without concrete steps, but parliament is now working on a draft law and consulting with business … Read more

GD reverses course on election watchdogs

TBILISI, September 8 – Georgia’s ruling party has made a sharp U-turn just weeks before crucial local elections, announcing that it will invite international observers from the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to monitor the October 4 vote. The decision, confirmed by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday evening, comes after … Read more