Wednesday, March 18, 2026

News

Georgia’s parliament speaker blasts Western diplomats, accusing them of interference

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili in an open letter accused Western diplomats of overstepping their authority, interfering in Georgia’s domestic affairs and promoting polarization. The letter, published June 7, represents the latest round of Georgian Dream (GD) using open letters to air grievances with Western countries and Tbilisi’s diplomatic corps. Papuashvili argued that the … Read more

Russian intel claims UK stepping up efforts to unseat Georgia’s ruling party

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has accused the United Kingdom of intensifying efforts to remove Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream (GD), from power by funding opposition-aligned NGOs and training youth movements for “subversive” activities. In a June 5 statement reported by state agency TASS, and later circulated by many English language outlets also in … Read more

Russian intel claims UK stepping up efforts to unseat Georgia's ruling party

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has accused the United Kingdom of intensifying efforts to remove Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream (GD), from power by funding opposition-aligned NGOs and training youth movements for “subversive” activities. In a June 5 statement reported by state agency TASS, and later circulated by many English language outlets also in … Read more

Fragmentation among Georgia’s opposition reflects how hastily blocs were formed

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TBILISI, DFWatch–One of Georgia’s four opposition blocs appears to be unraveling, exposing the improvisational nature of alliances formed ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections. As analysts note, most of these blocs were built less on ideological coherence than on tactical hopes of unseating the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party. The latest crack comes from the … Read more

Fragmentation among Georgia's opposition reflects how hastily blocs were formed

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TBILISI, DFWatch–One of Georgia’s four opposition blocs appears to be unraveling, exposing the improvisational nature of alliances formed ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections. As analysts note, most of these blocs were built less on ideological coherence than on tactical hopes of unseating the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party. The latest crack comes from the … Read more

U.S. ambassador to Georgia announces retirement, sparking speculation

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TBILISI, DFWatch–The unexpected announcement on June 5 that U.S. Ambassador Robin Dunnigan will retire next month has prompted speculation among Georgia’s political camps. Dunnigan emphasized that it was her personal decision to retire and had not been requested by Washington, but members of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party suggested there was a political reason. … Read more

Georgia's 'foreign agents law 2.0' comes into force

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s new ‘FARA’ law took effect on May 31, requiring organizations, media outlets and individuals to register as “agents of a foreign principal” if they engaging in advocacy for foreign actors. Failure to comply could result in fines or up to five years in prison. The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party defends the law … Read more

Georgia's embattled ruling party celebrates after receiving letter from President Trump on Independence Day

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Dream (GD) hailed a congratulatory letter from U.S. President Donald Trump to President Mikheil Kavelashvili, interpreting it as the definitibve answer to which side of the political divide he supports after months of uncertainty. The letter, released on May 26 to mark Georgia’s Independence Day, expressed Washington’s commitment to “peaceful and productive relations” … Read more

Georgia’s checks on Armenian cognac trucks trigger speculation that 'geopolitical shifts' are at play

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Frustration is mounting among Armenian alcoholic beverage exporters as their trucks carrying cognac and spirits are being stopped and checked while transiting Georgia en route to Russia, prompting diplomatic exchanges between Yerevan and Tbilisi. On May 13, Armenian beverage producers demonstrated outside the Georgian Embassy in Yerevan, alleging that Georgian authorities were deliberately hindering … Read more

Georgia's Independence Day celebrations pass without incident

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Despite deepening polarization, this year’s Independence Day celebrations in Tbilisi passed without major disruptions. Commentators credited careful planning and the physical separation of events with avoiding incidents, as the country remains engulfed in a deep political crisis where opposition leaders still, 212 days after the election, and with 180 days of continuous rallies, refuse … Read more