Sunday, February 22, 2026

South Ossetian peace is fragile, say leaders

TBILISI, DFWatch – The leadership of Georgia’s breakaway region South Ossetia say an opposition politician’s quest to claim election victory threatens a fragile peace and may have serious consequences. Authorities released the statement after talks with opposition leader Alla Dzhioyeva, who has been campaigning on and off to claim victory after an election in November … Read more

Obama and Georgia's Saakashvili did not discuss Iran

TBILISI, DFWatch – According to the Georgian president’s administration, Iran was not on the agenda of Monday’s meeting between U.S. president Barack Obama and president Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia. Before the meeting many had been speculating that the two would be discussing the increased tension between Iran and the U.S., especially in light of how … Read more

Obama's 'transfer of power' comment discussed in Tbilisi

TBILISI, DFWatch – Political Tbilisi is grabbing on to a phrase used by U.S. President Barack Obama yesterday after meeting the Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili about having a transfer of power after this falls parliamentary election in Georgia. “I want to express my appreciation for the work that’s been done in the past, but also … Read more

Whose election campaign will Georgia-U.S. summit benefit?

TBILISI, DFWatch – People in Georgia are looking forward to today’s meeting between the U.S. and Georgian presidents in Washington, both of whom are near the end of their terms. Analysts speculate that the summit may be part of either of their election campaigns, or is payback for Saakashvili accepting Russia as a member of … Read more

Georgia increases subsidy for political ads

TBILISI, DFWatch – The government in Georgia increases the state funding of political TV ads to create a more level playing field for this year’s election. But analysts say it’s not enough. An extra 2.2 million laris, or nearly 1.3 million US dollars, will be set aside in the state budget for subsidized political advertisements. … Read more

Historic Tbilisi square was dying, springs to life

TBILISI, DFWatch – Gudiashvili square in central Tbilisi seemed dying for years, but in the last month has had a revival thanks to a protest against new plans to modernise it. Every other Sunday, protesters gather at the Gudiashvili, which lies just behind Freedom Square, as a symbol of protest against the people responsible for … Read more

Russian company patented Georgian wines in Germany

TBILISI, DFWatch – Georgia has reclaimed three brand names of wine that had been patented in Germany by a Russian company. The company, Moscow Wine and Spirits Company GmbH, had been selling the wine brands Tsinandali, Kindzmarauli and Khvanchkara. Irakli Ghvaladze, head of Sakpatent, Georgia’s intellectual property agency, says these brands are of Georgian origin … Read more

New deadlock in South Ossetian leadership contest

TBILISI, DFWatch – South Ossetian opposition leader Alla Dzhioyeva wants to have her inauguration on February 10. The location for the ceremony has not been announced. “I appeal to the acting president of South Ossetia requesting that the transfer of power is done in a civilized way, as fits a legally elected president,” Russian news … Read more