TBILISI, DFWatch–The public review process of the amendments aimed at reducing the power of the prime minister that he will assume after the presidential elections scheduled for October 27 commenced this week, bringing together MPs, politicians, civil society
DFWatch staff
Youth rallied against Russian lawmakers at Tbilisi match
TBILISI, DFWatch–Dinamo Tbilisi and Dinamo Moscow played a friendship match in Tbilisi on Sunday. It was attended by Cristiano Ronaldo and Andriy Shevchenko, and guests from the Russian Duma.
The presence of the Russian parliamentarians caused youth groups to
Štefan Füle to visit Georgia July 11-12
TBILISI, DFWatch–Štefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy, will visit Georgia July 11-12.
Davit Jalaghania, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, said at a briefing Monday that the visit is planned to be held in Batumi, a city
Bakradze wins Saakashvili party's second primary
TBILISI, DFWatch–Davit Bakradze, leader of the parliamentary opposition, won the United National Movement’s second primary election for the upcoming presidential election in October.
This latest party conference was held in Gori, a town closer to the capital.
Police brutality still a concern in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia, the Interior Ministry is accused of psychological and physical pressure against a young man who committed suicide after being interrogated by police.
Mamuka Mikautadze, 36, is reported to have killed himself at a water reservoir in one
Government to form constitutional commission and stop court cases
TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and the leader of the parliamentary minority, Davit Bakradze, have agreed to create a commission to work on changing the constitution.
In return, members of United National Movement won’t be interrogated
Muslims afraid to attend Friday prayer in Kakheti village
TBILISI, DFWatch–In the village Samtatskharo in eastern Georgia, Friday prayers went ahead without incident yesterday, but the Muslims who live in the village stayed away because of threats.
Only Muslims from other areas and guests from the government attended
Government criticized for inaction over Depardieu's Abkhazia trip
TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia is coming under fire at home for not doing more after Gérard Depardieu violated Georgian law by visiting the breakaway region Abkhazia. The government says it will not react, as it does not consider it a serious violation.
New stronger labor code comes into force
TBILISI, DFWatch–After eight months of preparations, an amended labor code has come into force after President Saakashvili signed the bill.
Deputy Justice Minister Alexander Baramidze says the new labor code entirely meets European standards, which will contribute
Government's goal of 6% growth seen as unrealistic
TBILISI, DFWatch–Despite the prime minister’s prognosis and the state budget, the minister of economy and the minister of finance say it is impossible to achieve 6 percent economic growth by the end of the year.
Minister of Economy Giorgi Kvirikashvili said on