DFWatch staff 
TBILISI, September 1 – Tourism in Georgia is thriving, but locals are feeling the pinch. According to the National Statistics Office, domestic visitors spent an average of 166.9 lari ($62) per trip in the second quarter of 2025, up 7.4% from last year. While seaside resorts and mountain getaways are packed, many Georgians complain that … Read more
TBILISI, September 1 – Two of Georgia’s opposition parties stepped up their campaigning efforts Monday, accusing the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) government of neglecting basic needs in the capital while spending lavishly on prestige projects. At a rally in Mtatsminda district, Aleko Elisashvili, running for deputy mayor for the joint ticket of Lelo and For … Read more
TBILISI, September 1 – Unveiling the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party’s lineup for Tbilisi city assembly, Mayor Kakha Kaladze stressed continuity as he described the past achievements during his eight year tenure. Speaking at the presentation, Kaladze said the team was made up of “experienced, professional and responsible people” who are ready to turn citizens’ … Read more
TBILISI, September 1 – From education to air travel and healthcare, September 1 has brought a wave of changes across Georgia. At universities, new legislation makes it mandatory for students on certain bachelor’s and integrated degree programs, covering medicine and teaching, to take Georgian language classes as part of their studies, BPN reports. Meanwhile, the … Read more
TBILISI, September 1 – The European Commission confirmed that it has received a formal response from the Georgian government regarding a letter sent on July 14. Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert told reporters the reply arrived yesterday and will now be evaluated in Brussels. He declined to reveal the content of the letter. “The Commission does … Read more
TBILISI, September 1 – In western Georgia’s Tskaltubo municipality, several families will have part of their land seized to make way for a new high-voltage power line. According to an order from the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, the project involves the construction of a 97-kilometer, 500-kilovolt overhead transmission line linking Tskaltubo to the … Read more
TBILISI, September 1 – A new bus terminal has opened in Georgia’s Black Sea city of Batumi, aiming to bring transport services up to modern standards. The new bus station is located on Gogol Street and includes comfortable waiting areas, food outlets, shops, a children’s play zone, and even a medical point. Designed for both … Read more
TBILISI, September 1 – Georgia’s 2025 grape harvest begins under new rules that scrap subsidies for private companies and leave only the state-owned “Harvest Management Company” to buy up surplus grapes. The government also announced prices in advance: 1.50 lari per kilo for Saperavi, 1.20 lari for Rkatsiteli and other varieties, and 1 lari for … Read more
TBILISI, September 1 – Georgia has introduced new residency rules that could affect expats and freelancers in Georgia’s growing IT community. From now on, IT specialists must prove they earned at least USD 25,000 (or the equivalent in lari) in the past year to qualify. Applicants also need to show at least two years of … Read more
TBILISI, September 1 – In the first six months of 2025, Georgia recorded 2,860 road accidents, leaving 3,860 injured and 216 dead. Compared to last year, fatalities have risen by 20%, prompting warnings from road safety advocates that urgent action is needed. The new figures are a marked setback on the background of a UN-backed … Read more