Friday, December 5, 2025

Strong Georgian opposition party takes form

If Bidzina Ivanishvili fails to reclaim his Georgian citizenship, his wife will have to be the formal party leader. “They manage perfectly to manipulate with the law. This is Saakashvili’s democracy," he said at today's presentation of his party's new initiative group. Mr Ivanishvili far right, and to his left Eliso Chapidze, Archil Kvelashvili, and Ivane Kiguradze. Irakli Sesiashvili far left. (Photo: Mari Nikuradze.)

 

TBILISI, DFWatch – Georgian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili today presented the members of the initiative group for his new political party called Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia.

Among the members of the group are famous public figures, lawyers, a journalist, also

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Old Tbilisi square sports a white cover as protest goes on

Every two weeks people gather on Gudiashvili Square in Old Tbilisi to ask the city authorities to guarantee that the area's historic qualities are preserved when it is modernized. (Photo: Mari Nikuradze.)

TBILISI, DFWatch – Tbilisi’s old Gudiashvili Square was fully covered with white snow on Sunday as people showed up to defend it once more from an uncertain fate.

Even though it was a freezing minus five degrees, people still gathered on the square on February 12 at what

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Groups under threat in Georgia mobilize to defend rights

Tamar Chugoshvili, leader of Georgian Young Lawyer's Association, was one of many outspoken civil society representatives at Friday's meeting who are asking parliament to reconsider the new rules about party financing, which are now used against election observers and other groups. (Photo: Mari Nikuradze.)

TBILISI, DFWatch – Organizations in the former Soviet republic of Georgia are planning to take immediate measures together with media workers to protest against a new law amendment which they claim poses a serious threat to freedom of speech, freedom of the media and

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As winter freeze hits Tbilisi, the garbage fee jumps

Authorities in Tbilisi recently made the monthly garbage fee dependent on the electric bill, which has led to a unpleasant surprise for those who rely on eletric heaters these days. (Photo: Mari Nikuradze.)

TBILISI, DFWatch – Among all the other problems the weather is causing, Tbilisi citizens have one more worry: Their garbage fee has increased dramatically.

A few months ago, a law amendment made the municipal garbage fee dependent on the electricity bill, so the more

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Why newspapers are sold from bicycle stands in Tbilisi

Tbilisi City Hall removed most of the newspaper booths to make way for a new chain of kiosks. The free press in the country is concerned that the independent papers will get blacklisted in City Hall's kiosks, and instead use mobile stands and bibycles to reach the public. (Photo: Mari Nikuradze.)

TBILISI, DFWatch – In the Georgian capital, news hungry citizens can now get their daily update from a bright red bicycle. The reason the new mobile newsstand is hitting the streets is that City Hall has removed many of the old permanent booths.

Since last December, independent

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Georgian youth learn English, and keep their Russian too

“I think it would be good if I knew Russian. But if I don’t know Russian I won’t have any serious problems,” says Lali, Master's student in journalism at Georgian Institute of Public Affairs. (Photo: Mari Nikuradze.)

TBILISI, DFWatch – English is first priority for Georgian youth, but they might as well keep a basic knowledge of Russian too, just in case.

Margo is getting ready to go abroad for a year through an exchange program, after graduating from university last summer, specializing in journalism.

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Georgia's dead prime minister: The case that won't go away

Zurab Zhvania was at the head of the rose revolution in 2003 alongside Mikheil Saakashvili and Nino Burjanadze, then became prime minister, but died just over a year later under mysterious circumstances. The case files from the investigation have not been released. (Photo: Mari Nikuradze.)

TBILISI, DFWatch – Seven years after his death, the anniversary of Georgia’s late prime minister Zurab Zhvania is still testimony to the fact that many refuse to accept the case as closed.

Some of the youth who gathered in front of parliament in Tbilisi Friday bore

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Stricter Turkish visa-rules making life tougher

The border crossing between Turkey and Georgia at Sarpi. (Photo: Ephraim Stillberg.)

TBILISI, DFWatch – Nani has been working in Turkey for last ten years at a rich family, taking care of all the household activities. Her husband died years ago and she had to provide her two daughters with food and clothes. She couldn’t find a job here in Georgia and decided to leave for Turkey

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Pressured Georgian media reaffirm defense group

TBILISI, DFWatch – Media workers in the former Soviet republic of Georgia met Wednesday to reaffirm their mutual pledge to support eachother in case of harassment from authorities. “The main goal is to fight against illegal actions, protecting each other and solidarity when the media is in trouble,” says Mamuka Glonti, who took the initiative … Read more