Politics
Georgian Dream revives extremely controversial law on “Agents of Foreign Influence”, what is written in the new draft
Shalva Papuashvili Georgian government, after a one-year forced pause and in the face of criticism both inside and outside the country, re-initiated the bill on "Agents of Foreign Influence". The new initiative, titled as the draft law on "Transparency of Foreign Influence", which Georgian Dream seems to be determined to finally adopt, envisages the mandatory registration [...]
Georgian Dream is preparing a bill against “ideology of pseudo-liberals” and “wilful propaganda of non-traditional lifestyle”
TBILISI, DFWatch--Georgian Dream is in the process of preparing a legislative initiative to "protect society from pseudo-liberal ideology" and its inevitable harmful consequences." The country may face such a situation when "we will be asked to legalize the so-called civil partnership", says Mamuka Mdinaradze, majority leader at the parliament. Opposition political parties dub this as empty [...]
Major reshuffle in Georgian politics: PM trades seat with ruling party chairman
Irakli Garibashvili (right) and Irakli Kobakhidze (gd.ge). TBILISI, DFWatch–After Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili returned to public politics in late December, everyone in Georgia expected major upheavals in the government, although only a small number of commentators predicted dismissal of the prime minister. However, this became clear on Sunday, when the pro-government TV company Imedi reported [...]
Three opposition parties unite to oust Georgian Dream, get EU candidate status
Giorgi Vashadze (from left), Elene Khoshtaria and Zurab Japaridze (Facebook). Three opposition political parties in Georgia - Strategy Agmashenebeli, Girchi - More Freedom and Droa – establish “a pro-European coalition”, the goal of which is to oust Georgian Dream and solicit getting the EU candidate status by the country. "There is no other way, and our [...]
For the first time, Georgia’s president criticizes the country’s ruling party
Salome Zourabichvili (1tv.ge). TBILISI, DFWatch--President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili has criticized the ruling Georgian Dream party for unilaterally abandoning the EU-mediated agreement. She also reiterated the importance of the country's European development. This is the first time the president has criticized the political movement that brought her to the presidency. Salome Zourabichvili was able to win [...]
EU backs early parliamentary election in Georgia if ruling GD party gets less than 43% in local elections
European Council President Charles Michel. (Twitter.) TBILISI, DFWatch--The European Union on Sunday made another attempt at breaking the political deadlock in Georgia, offering a compromise that envisions the release of perceived political prisoners as well as early parliamentary elections. The EU earlier suggested Georgia's factions agree to the release of UNM leader Nika Melia and Giorgi [...]
EU-mediated talks fail to resolve Georgia’s political crisis
Christian Danielsson addressing the media after the failed talks. TBILISI, DFWatch--EU-mediated negotiations to end the political crisis in Georgia have once more ended in failure. The compromise proposed by EU envoy Christian Danielsson was rejected Tuesday evening by both the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) and the group of opposition parties led by United National Movement (UNM). [...]
Georgian ex-PM Gakharia keeps people guessing after cryptic message that he hasn’t left politics
(Facebook/გახარია.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Former Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said on Monday that he has not left politics, without further explanation, leaving people guessing as to what he might have meant. "I am not leaving anything, not even politics," Giorgi Gakharia wrote on his Facebook page on Monday. But when asked by reporters, he did not explain [...]
Georgian PM rejects opposition’s two main demands
Irakli Garibashvili meeting with Josep Borrell, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. (Facebook/Government of Georgia.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Georgia’s prime minister on Tuesday rejected the two main demands put forth by the opposition, thus prolonging the country’s four and a half months long political crisis. "The next parliamentary elections will be held in 2024," Prime [...]
Leader of Georgia’s main opposition party facing imprisonment on charges from 2019 protest rally
Nika Melia talking with supporters at an opposition rally in Tbilisi, Novermber, 2020. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch--The leader of Georgia’s main opposition party faces imprisonment after participating in a protest in 2019. The prosecutor's office asked parliament on Friday to strip Nika Melia of his immunity as a member of parliament. If parliament agrees - and that [...]
Citizens Party calls off parliament boycott after GD promises reforms, rest of opposition still rejects 2020 election results
Aleko Elisashvili answering journalists at the parliament (video grab from 1tv.ge) One of the opposition parties in Georgia announced Friday that they are calling off their boycott of parliament, breaking ranks with the rest of the opposition, which have held that the October 31 election was fraught with violations and should be annulled. Chairman of the [...]
Georgian opposition party Citizens to break off parliament boycott if government promises election reform
TBILISI, DFWatch--The Georgian opposition’s boycott of parliament after the October 31 election is in doubt, after one of the parties indicated they will break off the boycott. Aleko Elisashvili, leader of the Citizens party, said Wednesday that he will announce the party’s decision to take up their two seats in parliament in a few days. "If [...]
42-year-old Irakli Kobakhidze takes over reins of Georgia’s ruling party as billionaire founder steps down
Former party secretary Irakli Kobakhidze was "unanimously" elected as new leader of Georgian Dream. TBILISI, DFWatch--Georgia’s ruling party on Saturday elected former party secretary Irakli Kobakhidze as new chairman, after its billionaire founder stepped down. The choice of a new leader and new composition of the political council at the party convention are important developments for [...]
Georgia’s ruling party rocked by sex scandal
Ilia Jishkariani. TBILISI, DFWatch--Georgia’s ruling party was rocked by a sex scandal Saturday after a staff member of a high profile politician accused him of sexual assault and physical violence, sparking a public outcry. Police have launched an investigation against Ilia Jishkariani, a member of Tbilisi City Assembly (the Sakrebulo), after his assistant accused [...]
Georgian PM steps down, declaring “mission accomplished”
Mamuka Bakhtadze announced his resignation on Facebook, stating that his mission has been accomplished. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Georgia’s Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze resigned Monday, stating that mission is accomplished. Announcing his resignation on Facebook, the outgoing PM also confirmed his allegiance to the ruling Georgian Dream party. In the more than 4,000 words long statement, [...]
Georgian parliament names session hall after Zviad Gamsakhurdia
Parliament's bureau voting to name the main session hall after Zviad Gamsakhurdia. (parliament.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch--Georgia has named the plenary session hall of the parliament building after the country's first president since independence. Parliament’s decision on Tuesday to name the hall after Zviad Gamsakhurdia seems to be the outcome of a rivalry between Georgia's top [...]
Former Georgian foreign minister Zourabichvili declares presidential run
TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili has declared her intention to run for president of Georgia, and the ruling GD party appears to be ready to back her candidacy. Zourabichvili, who is of of Georgian origin but was born in France, served as French ambassador […]
New Georgian PM unveils cabinet with three new names
Ivane Machavariani is proposed as new finance minister, one of the three new faces in the government. (PIA.) TBILISI, DFWatch–New Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze unveiled his cabinet on Thursday. The list contains three new names, among them proposed Finance Minister Ivane Machavariani (pictured), while the embattled justice minister gets to keep her seat. […]
Georgian PM Kvirikashvili stricken from GD political council member list
Former Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has mysteriously been removed from the political council of Georgia’s ruling party. As PM, Kvirikashvili had a leading role in the advisory body of the ruling party. But he resigned his position abruptly on June 13, […]
Georgia’s ruling party to strip president of powers to grant citizenship
Presidential spokesperson Ana Natsvlishvili said the bill is the outcome of a long running ‘feud’ between President Giorgi Margvelashvili and Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s ruling party prepares to take away the president’s power to grant people citizenship. According to a bill presented Tuesday, the president will no longer be entitled to appoint the head of the commission which reviews applications for citizenship. […]
Georgian PM Kvirikashvili resigns, citing disagreement with Ivanishvili
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili resigned on Wednesday, citing disagreement with the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili. According to the Constitution, the PM’s resignation also means that the entire government resigns. […]
Ivanishvili elected leader of Georgia’s ruling party at grandiose meeting
(Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili was formally elected head of the ruling Georgian Dream party on Friday, at a grandiose party convention resembling those held by the Communist party during the Soviet Union. Ivanishvili retired from politics in 2013, […]
Ivanishvili to make political comeback, will head Georgia’s ruling GD
TBILISI, DFWatch–Billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili is making a comeback in politics and will head Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream. The move comes amid ongoing tension within the party’s ranks. “On behalf of myself and my team, I personally asked the party’s founder to lead the party. […]
Georgian parliament speaker slams Freedom House report
TBILISI, DFWatch–The speaker of Georgia’s parliament on Thursday slammed a report by the US based organization Freedom House, accusing its local contributors of being hostile to the Georgian government and the Trump administration. Using extraordinarily strong language […]
Georgian parliament passes new Constitution as opposition walks out in protest
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament almost unanimously adopted a new constitution on Tuesday as opposition factions walked out and said the day will mark the establishment of one-party rule in the country. […]
Georgia’s president refuses to convene parliament to pass revamped Constitution
President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili has turned down a request by the ruling party to call an unscheduled session of parliament in order to adopt the new Constitution, citing the threat of one-party rule. “The president will not convene an extraordinary session,” […]
Georgia’s constitutional reform gets cautious thumbs up from CoE
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Venice Commission draws an overall positive conclusion about Georgia’s latest constitutional reform in an assessment published Friday, but the Council of Europe experts are still concerned about the lack of consensus among the country’s largest political parties. […]
Popular TV host to represent opposition UNM in Tbilisi mayoral race
Zaal Udumashvili launched his bid for the mayor post on Monday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s main opposition party is hoping that a popular news anchor will bring it back to power in the politically important position of Tbilisi mayor. The nomination of Zaal Udumashvili, host of the main news program on Georgia’s largest TV channel Rustavi 2, […]
TV news anchor may join race for new Tbilisi mayor
Zaal Udumashvili speaking at a demonstration in Tbilisi in February, 2017. (Rustavi 2.) Independent candidate Aleksandre Elisashvili may also have a chance. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A news anchor on Georgia’s biggest private television channel has confirmed that he may run for mayor of Tbilisi as a candidate for the biggest opposition party UNM. The entry of Zaal Udumashvili, host of the evening news on Rustavi 2, […]
Georgia’s ruling party to tap energy minister as new Tbilisi mayor
Kakhi Kaladze. (Ministry of Energy.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The ruling party in Georgia is expected to name Energy Minister Kakhi Kaladze as its candidate for new Tbilisi mayor, to replace the incumbent Davit Narmania. Georgian Dream MPs and members of government met on Sunday behind closed […]
Public meeting about new constitution interrupted by protests
TBILISI, DFWatch–A public meeting in Tbilisi on Monday to discuss a set of constitutional amendments was interrupted by two different groups of protesters. The head of the organizing committee now says they will extend the hearing process with a number of extra […]
Georgian opposition wants referendum about constitutional changes
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian opposition groups said Monday that the country’s democratic development is being reversed unless a set of constitutional amendments is stopped. The groups demand a referendum about the changes. In a declaration, the opposition listed eight […]
Georgia inches closer to one-party rule with new draft Constitution
A meeting of the Constitutional Commission. In the center Irakli Kobakhidze, parliament’s speaker, who was commission chair. (Pia.ge) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia is moving closer to one-party rule, opposition groups warn, as a new round of constitutional amendments was approved by a commission on Saturday. Georgians are no strangers to changing their Constitution, but the latest set of amendments […]
Georgian MP injured after colleague throws ashtray, hits wrong person
(1tv.ge.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A member of the Georgian parliament was lightly injured on Wednesday, after a verbal and physical confrontation that led to an ashtray being hurled at his face. Otar Kakhidze was accidentally hit by an ashtray during a confrontation […]
Georgian president accuses ruling GD of stalling democratic reforms
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Friday slammed the governing GD party for dragging its feet on the way to further democratic reforms and claimed there is a ‘crisis’ in the justice system. The president launched the broadside during […]
Georgian president vetoes controversial surveillance bill
(DF Watch) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Monday vetoed a surveillance bill which civil society groups claim does not go far enough in reining in the powers of the secret police. Also opposition parties have criticized the bill. They suspect that it will give […]
Georgian opposition party will not face charges for planting pot
TBILISI, DFWatch–Members of an opposition party in the former Soviet republic of Georgia will not be prosecuted for planting cannabis in their office on New Year’s Eve because the saplings contained too little of the forbidden narcotic substance. The New Year’s Eve pot […]
Georgia’s parliament has 41 millionaires
Leader of Alliance of Patriots Nato Chkheidze is worth 51 million lari, according to the report. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–41 members of the Georgian parliament are millionaires (in GELs); 37 persons from the Georgian Dream majority and 4 members of two opposition parties, United National Movement and Alliance of Patriots. There are six millionaire ministers […]
Ex-laywer elected new Free Democrats leader
Shalva Shavgulidze is the new Free Democrats leader. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former lawyer has been elected chairman of the embattled Free Democrats, perhaps the most staunchly pro-western party in the former Soviet republic of Georgia. The Free Democrats’ failure to win any seats in the 2016 parliamentary elections coupled with […]
13 UNM activists arrested at rally outside Tbilisi City Hall
TBILISI, DFWatch–A demonstration in front of Tbilisi City Hall on Monday turned violent when activists for the United National Movement (UNM) tried to break into City Hall in order to meet Mayor Davit Narmania. Thirteen members of the opposition supporters were […]
President, civil rights groups reject new surveillance regulations bill
Eka Beselia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A working group within the Georgian parliament on Monday proposed to establish a new agency under the State Security Service to monitor telephone and internet communications, as well as conduct video and audio eavesdropping. […]
Republican Party appoints woman to key position
Tamar Kordzaia, party political secretary (right) and Khatuna Samnidze, the chairwoman. (Photo by Republican Party.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Republican Party in the former Soviet republic of Georgia on Saturday appointed a woman former lawmaker as new political secretary. The appointment the 39-year-old lawyer Tamar Kordzaia is seen as a move to promote gender equality in politics. […]
Georgia’s largest opposition party on the verge of breaking up
Givi Targamadze claimed rivalry with fellow UNM members has become one of Saakashvili’s main priorities. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s biggest opposition party, the United National Movement (UNM), is on the verge of splitting in two, as its key figures claim the party is in the midst of a ‘coup attempt’. Givi Targamadze, the former chair of the defense and security […]
Healthcare and infrastructure top priorities in Georgia’s 2017 budget
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Following fierce debate between opposition and ruling Georgian Dream members, Georgia’s legislative body on Wednesday approved the 2017 state budget by 102 votes in favor and 10 against. The upcoming state budget envisages GEL 9.489 billion […]
Georgian opera singer Paata Burchuladze ends stint as politician
Paata Burchuladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Paata Burchuladze, a Georgian opera singer who formed a political coalition which participated in the October 8 election, announced his departure from politics on Wednesday. Local media outlets wrote that the new leader of the party will be historian Nika Machutadze. […]
Georgia’s former ruling party fires senior functionaries
Giorgi Oniani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The infighting in the United National Movement (UNM) continued on Wednesday as 20 members from the main opposition party’s central administration were dismissed. The dismissal impacted mostly those who side with Saakashvili loyalist Chiora Taktakishvili, […]
President boycotts constitutional commission, calls for public hearing
President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili may refrain from participating in the work of the state constitutional commission and instead start ‘actively lobbying’ for launching a public discussion regarding constitutional amendments, […]
UNM barely avoids splitting in two after talk of ditching Saakashvili
The rebel faction wants UNM’s 2013 presidential candidate Davit Bakradze as new leader. (Channel 1.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The faction supporting Mikheil Saakashvili narrowly won a debate at a National Movement party conference on Wednesday. A resolution was passed to hold a party convention in the format favored by the country’s former president. […]
Founder of failed UNM splinter party leaves politics to start lobbying firm
(Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former lawmaker with background from the National Movement announced on Monday that he is leaving politics, after founding and campaigning for the splinter party Girchi. Pavle Kublashvili, a former head of the justice committee in parliament, […]
Georgian parliament approves new government
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament Saturday passed a vote of confidence in a new cabinet government formed after Georgian Dream won a landslide in the October 8 election. 110 MPs voted for and 19 against a cabinet, which had only three personnel changes […]
Georgian interior minister lists achievements ahead of confidence vote
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Acting Interior Minister Giorgi Mghebrishvili showed up at several committee hearings on Wednesday as parliamentarians were preparing for a vote of confidence in the new cabinet. Listing his ministry’s achievements, Mghebrishvili said police in Georgia […]
Georgia’s Prime Minister reveals new cabinet: Who’s in and who’s out?
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s acting head of government Giorgi Kvirikashvili on Tuesday unveiled his new cabinet, with only minor personnel changes from the last one. One notable change is the promotion of Dimitri Kumsishvili from Economy Minister to the more important […]
Georgian parliamentarians appointed faction leaders
TBILISI, DFWatch–The newly elected parliament mits first session on Friday, and one of its first decisions was to register five factions and the majority and minority. The Georgian Dream majority consists of 116 MPs. 115 are members of Georgian Dream, which received […]
Government takes caretaker role as parliament begins selecting new cabinet
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament approved the composition of the new parliament on Friday, and the government now has a caretaker role until lawmakers has approved a new government. MPs voted to recognize the authority of the ninth parliamentary assembly. […]
UNM member refuses to serve in Adjara’s supreme council
Levan Varshalomidze apologized to voters for not being able to protect their votes. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A politician for the UNM party in Adjara has refused to serve in the region’s supreme council, echoing a recent decision by Sandra Roelofs, the former first lady, to not take her seat in parliament. Levan Varshalomidze, former chairman of the Adjara government, […]
UNM nominates parliament posts while discussing successor to Saakashvili
Sergi Kapanadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement has nominated Sergi Kapanadze as vice speaker of parliament from the minority. The leader of the parliamentary minority will still remain Davit Bakradze. He was speaker of parliament from 2008 to 2012. Nika Melia, who was UNM’s candidate […]
Sandra Roelofs refuses to serve as member of Georgia’s parliament
Sandra Roelofs. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s former first lady Sandra Roelofs has turned down her mandate to serve as a member of parliament despite being among the top ten names on the National Movement’s party list. On Monday, Roelofs asked the Central Election Commission (CEC) […]
GD presents its list of committee heads in the new parliament
Georgian Dream’s bigwigs approved Irakli Kobakhidze’s nomination as new speaker of parliament on Sunday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After a landslide victory in the election, Georgian Dream bigwigs gathered on Sunday to agree on key appointments for the new parliament. After the political council session was over, GD announced its list of candidates, which, not surprisingly, […]
GD considers its party secretary as new speaker of parliament
Irakli Kobakhidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After several weeks of speculation, Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili on Friday confirmed that the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party is considering its secretary Irakli Kobakhidze for the post as new speaker of parliament. It was expected that the stern […]
GD plans to replace ministers in charge of the economy
Dimitry Kumsishvili is proposed as new finance minister. TBILISI, DFWatch–After a crushing victory in the parliamentary elections, Georgia’s ruling party this week began the work of forming a new government. Several changes have been proposed ahead of a meeting in the GD political council to take place at the end of this week. […]
Speaker of parliament leaves Republican Party
TBILISI, DFWatch–Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili on Saturday announced his resignation and departure from the Republican Party, which he was leader of from 2005 to 2013. He stated his reason as disagreement with the founders and current leadership about the party’s […]
Free Democrats rebels vow to support GD in second round of election
TBILISI, DFWatch–Several key figures in Irakli Alasania’s Free Democrats party have expressed support for the ruling Georgian Dream before the second round of the parliamentary elections in most majoritarian districts. “In a few days, there will be a second round. […]
National Movement decides to not boycott parliament
Davit Bakradze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After considering a boycott of parliament, the National Movement on Tuesday turned back from the drastic measure and decided to participate in the second round of the election and take their seats in parliament. Some party members wanted […]
UNM political council convenes Tuesday to set out post-election path
Davit Bakradze at a UNM rally in Tbilisi Oct. 5, 2016. (DFWatch.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement plans to convene the party’s political council Tuesday evening to discuss further plans after dismissing the results of the parliamentary election. Some proposed to boycott the second round of the majoritorian elections […]
Buoyed by election result, GD begins pushing for constitutional amendments
Irakli Kobakhidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Already before the official election results have been announced, the ruling Georgian Dream party is talking about making two constitutional amendments. Another round of single-seat districts has still not been held, and no-one knows how many members […]
Saakashvili mocks Ivanishvili: ‘You are destined for defeat’
TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvil has mocked his main opponent former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, saying he was destined for defeat in the October 8 election. Saakashvili, who is governor of Odessa in Ukraine, […]
Two wounded in shooting at political rally in Georgia
Irakli Okruashvili claimed he was the target of the shooting. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former Georgian defense minister claims he was the target when shots were fired during an election rally in Gori, a town 60km northwest of Tbilisi, on Sunday. Irakli Okruashvili was meeting voters in the town where he is a candidate […]
Ivanishvili recommends Garibashivili as future president
Bidzina Ivanishvili. TBILISI, DFWatch–Businessman and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said Monday that he would like to see Irakli Garibashvili as president. Ivanishvili said this while meeting with local media in Rustavi, a town south of Tbilisi. He said the former PM is ‘a good option for a spare’ […]
Saakashvili preparing to stoke unrest ahead of election: Georgian PM
PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili claims that Mikheil Saakashvili’s party has started several new organizations in order to foment unrest in Georgia ahead of the election. One of the new organizations started by the National Movement is Georgia in the Name […]
Ex-ally claims opera star who formed new party is a puppet of Ivanishvili
TBILISI, DFWatch–Another prominent member left opera singer Paata Burchuladze’s party on Tuesday, accusing State for People of being financed by former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. “I am leaving Paata Burchuladze’s party, because it is not Paata […]
Ivanishvili blasts Burjanadze: Your non-bloc idea is a bluff
TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian PM Bidzina Ivanishvili lashed out at opposition politician Nino Burjanadze on Sunday, accusing her of bluffing when she proposed that Georgia should declare a non-bloc status. Burjanadze, a former parliament speaker, […]
‘Georgia should have a U.S. military base before it gets into NATO’
Davit Usupashvili (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Republican Party wants to have a U.S. military base in Georgia before the country becomes a full member of NATO. This was one of the statements made by Republican Party members during a debate on Rustavi 2 Tuesday evening, […]
Should Georgia’s foreign policy alignment be defined in the Constitiution?
Nino Burjanadze. (Interpressnews.) Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two proposals to define Georgia’s foreign policy alignment in the Constitution were postponed by a parliament committee because not enough MPs showed up. The rebellious opposition leader who started the debate now claims parliament has violated election rules. […]
Free Democrats promises to decriminalize all drug use
Nikoloz Pruidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Irakli Alasania’s Free Democrats promises a liberal drug policy and the decriminalization of all forms of drugs if they come to power. But the punishment for drug dealing will be tougher, the party’s healthcare strategist Nikoloz Pruidze […]
GD nominates candidates for parliament from Tbilisi districts
Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The ruling Georgian Dream party on Monday nominated its majoritarian candidates in most of Tbilisi’s 21 electoral districts. The exception was the downtown Mtatsminda district, where GD refrained from nominating a candidate to support […]
Election ad featuring Putin causes outcry in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–A ten seconds long election video has caused a strong reaction from Georgia’s political establishment and calls for using legal means to stop the party behind it. The provocative advertisement ran on the Public Broadcaster’s Channel 1 Saturday night […]
National Forum politician’s home broken into
Ani Mirotadze said the National Forum is target of a political ploy. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The home of a candidate for parliament from the National Forum was broken into Thursday night, a few days after the party’s office was robbed. Tamar Tsikhiseli told journalists that the burglars didn’t steal anything. She thinks the people […]
President meets group who proposed referendum to define marriage
Giorgi Margvelashvili, President of Georgia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili will Tuesday meet the Georgians who proposed holding a referendum about defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Giorgi Abashishvili, head of the president’s administration, […]
Former UNM members join New Rightists in bloc called ‘New Choice’
Zurab Japaridze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two political parties formed by ex-National Movement members together with an opposition party without representatives in parliament on Friday launched a new election bloc for the upcoming parliamentary election. The name of the new […]
GD names Shevardnadze era minister as candidate for parliament
Koba Narchemashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Koba Narchemashvili, who was interior minister at the moment when Eduard Shevardnadze was deposed as president in the Rose Revolution, was Tuesday nominated by Georgian Dream as majoritarian candidate for parliament. As commander […]
Republican Party tops reject offer to join Georgian Dream
Davit Usupashvili (IPN) TBILISI, DFWatch–The leader of the Republican Party says he and other party tops have received an offer from the ruling Georgian Dream to abandon their own party and join them ahead of the election, but they rejected the offer. In an interview with the newspaper […]
Opinion polls differ wildly 3 months ahead of Georgian election
Zurab Bigvava. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two opinion polls show vastly different levels of support for the two main contenders in Georgia’s parliamentary election, scheduled for October 8. A poll conducted by Georgian Dream gives the party a lead of 35 percent, with the United National […]
Georgian Dream slams minister’s decision to end conscription
Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli’s decision on Monday to end compulsory military service sparked a variety of negative comments from members of the ruling party, Georgian Dream. Khidasheli is a member of the Republican Party, […]
Ivanishvili plans to build new hotel on the border with Abkhazia
Ganmukhuri is symbolic because it lies on the “Abkhaz” side of the border river Inguri. TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has revealed a plan to build a luxury hotel in western Georgia on the border with the breakaway region Abkhazia. He told journalists on Friday that he also has some other plans which he will disclose when they are approved. […]
Georgia’s PM has selected replacement for Republican ministers
Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, who was elected as a leader of Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia party on Saturday, told Imedi TV that he has candidates to replace ministers from the Republican Party in case they resign. A few weeks ago, […]
Fmr Saakashvili official who brought simpler services launches new party
Giorgi Vashadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian politician who was deputy justice minister during Mikheil Saakashvili’s presidency has left the National Movement and plans to start a new party. Giorgi Vashadze is perhaps best known for having overseen the reform known as […]
Georgian parliament to discuss constitutional ban on same-sex marriage
An anti-gay protest May 17, 2014. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Public discussion about amending the constitution to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman are over and parliament will start discussing the bill next week. The amendment will determine marriage as a voluntary […]
Saakashvili confident his party will return to power in Georgia
TBILISI, DFWatch–Mikheil Saakashvili, the former Georgian president and current governor of Odessa, told a Georgian TV channel on Sunday that he is confident of victory for his political party in the parliamentary election in October, and afterward […]
National Forum withdraws from coalition, parliamentary majority
Gubaz Sanikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–National Forum withdrew from the governing Georgian Dream coalition -on Sunday, and the following day party leaders said they are also withdrawing from the parliamentary majority. Leader of the party Kakha Shartava […]
Republicans and Georgian Dream to run as independent parties
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two of the parties in the governing Georgian Dream coalition have decided to run as independent parties in the upcoming parliamentary election. The Republican Party declared Thursday that they plan to participate in the election independently, […]
Head of Georgia’s National Bank calls for merging ministries to save money
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The president of the National Bank suggests reducing the number of ministries in Georgia in order to save public money. In an interview with Rustavi 2, Giorgi Kadagidze drew attention to Switzerland, a developed country which has eight ministries, […]
Georgian president will hold annual address to parliament on February 3
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The president’s annual state of the nation address will be delivered at the opening of the spring session of parliament on February 3. Giorgi Kverenchkhiadze, who is parliamentary secretary for President Giorgi Margvelashvili, […]
Director of Ivanishvili’s Cartu Bank appointed deputy mayor of Tbilisi
Mayor Davit Narmania (left) and Giorgi Liluashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The head of Cartu Bank was appointed deputy mayor of Tbilisi on Thursday. Presenting his new deputy, Mayor Davit Narmania said that Giorgi Liluashvili has the experience and skills necessary to be a good manager. He listed Liluashvili’s past positions, […]
Zalkaliani of the Free Democrats appointed deputy foreign minister
Davit Zalkaliani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili on Friday as expected appointed Davit Zalkaliani as deputy foreign minister, the same position he held before resigning in November 2014. Zalkaliani was deputy foreign minister from 2012 to 2014, but resigned when his party […]
Former deputy foreign minister who left post is reappointed
Davit Zalkaliani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A former deputy foreign minister from the opposition Free Democrats Party is to return to his post following a proposal by Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. The Free Democrats party, which came to power in 2012 as part of the […]
The government needs renewal, says GD founder Ivanishvili
(Pirveli.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There is a need for new people in the Georgian Dream government, businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili said Wednesday evening, in his first public comments on the change of prime minister and other recent developments in the coalition […]
Georgian parliament approves new Kvirikashvili government
Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament approved the new government on Tuesday by 86 votes against 28. Lawmakers debated the government program all day, sparring with new Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili into late night hours. Both the two […]
Incoming PM defends economic policy
Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s prime minister in waiting defended his handling of the economic crisis as he answered questions from parliamentarians on Monday ahead of a confirmation vote today, Tuesday. As expected, Giorgi Kvirikashvili’s tenure as economy minister […]
New PM plans no changes in cabinet – for now
Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Giorgi Kvirikashvili, the designated new prime minister of Georgia, plans to present his cabinet tomorrow. The list is expected to be almost identical to the current government, but he does not rule out changes in the future. The former vice prime minister […]
President supports Kvirikashvili as new PM and asks parliament for approval
President Giorgi Margvelashvili supports Giorgi Kvirikashvili (inset) as new prime minister. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili Friday supported the ruling coalition’s nominee, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, as candidate for new prime minister and asked parliament to approve him. The president’s administration supported Kvirikashvili’s candidacy […]
GD coalition to discuss new PM at session Friday
Foreign Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The candidate for new prime minister will be discussed at a session of the Georgian Dream coalition on Friday, the speaker of parliament said Wednesday evening after the PM announced his resignation. Speaker Davit Usupashvili […]
NDI poll shows small Georgian Dream lead, voters still indifferent
The share of people who wouldn’t vote for any party or don’t know which one is down to 38% (yellow line), after reaching almost 50% in August. (National Democratic Institute.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A poll published on Monday shows the ruling Georgian Dream coalition back in the lead, and a surge in voters’ apathy slightly abating. The latest National Democratic Institute (NDI) poll, carried out in late November, early December, shows that if there […]
Opposition activists on hunger strike taken to hospital
Emzar Kvitsiani, one of the Alliance of Patriots taken to hospital. (Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Several members of the party Alliance of Patriots were taken to the hospital on Tuesday after going on a hunger strike ten days ago. Emzar Kvitsiani, Manana Abuseridze, Lali Khutsishvili and Ada Marshania were brought to Chapidze clinic, while […]
Georgian Stalin admirer quits as member of parliament
Gogi Topadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–An MP from the ruling coalition who was recently criticized for praising Joseph Stalin, announced that he plans to resign as member of parliament after a draft bill he proposed has been discussed. Gogi Topadze from the Industrialists […]
Poll shows Georgian voters increasingly apathetic
TBILISI, DFWatch–In a new poll, 35 percent of Georgians say they don’t know who they would vote for if there were a parliamentary election tomorrow. The poll, which was published by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) shows that both the Georgian Dream […]
Georgia’s parliament may consider mandatory gender quotas
Eka Beselia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The human rights committee in Georgia’s parliament Thursday favored a law that would guarantee that at least 25% of representatives are women. The law concerns those representatives who are elected […]
Leader of parliamentary majority quits to head investment fund
Davit Saganelidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A leading member of parliament from the ruling Georgian Dream coalition is leaving in order to take the helm of the government’s Partnership Fund. It is not yet known who will replace Davit Saganelidze as member of parliament. According […]
President signs into law controversial bank supervision bill
Had no choice: Even if I had refused to sign, the speaker would have signed the bill, Margvelashvili explained. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president Thursday signed a bill into law that will take away responsibility for supervising private banks from the National Bank and hand it to a new agency controlled by the government. President Giorgi Margvelashvili, the […]
National Movement registers for by-election without candidates
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement, former ruling party, does not plan to put up candidates in the by-elections for two vacant seats in the Georgian parliament. Instead, the former ruling party plans to use its legally guaranteed free commercial time on TV. The governing […]
Comment about the president and knitting pins rattles parliament
Undated photo of Giorgi Margvelashvili knitting socks, published in 2013, before he became president. TBILISI, DFWatch–A statement by a leading parliamentarian about the president and knitting pins has caused puzzlement in Georgia. A spokesman for the president’s administration called it insulting and unethical. “I blame Ivanishvili for taking the knitting pins out of the hands of the NGO and Soros guys (“ენჯეოელი სოროსელი”) […]
Georgian Dream ramping up for the parliamentary election
Eka Beselia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–As Bidzina Ivanishvili’s party is ramping up for the 2016 parliamentary election, it is still unknown whether Georgian Dream will run as a coalition, as in previous elections. The political council of Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia […]
Georgian PM names Giorgi Mgebrishvili as new interior minister
Giorgi Mgebrishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili wants Prison Minister Giorgi Mgebrishvili to become new interior minister. The position is vacant after a reform that splits the interior ministry, creating a new Security Service. Mgebrishvili […]
Georgian president vetoes National Bank bill
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Friday vetoed a controversial National Bank bill which would mean that the government takes charge of the supervision of private banks. The president made his reasons for blocking the bill, […]
Georgian MP confused EBRD with a brothel
Soso Jachvliani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A member of parliament from the governing coalition on Wednesday defended himself against what he thought was innuendo implying that he had visited a brothel. The speech by Soso Jachvliani, an armwrestler, actor and film director who is also […]
Gomelauri confirmed as head of Georgia’s new counterintelligence
Vakhtang Gomelauri. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri was approved as new head of the State Security Service on Wednesday, as the ministry he has headed until now is split in two. Facing questions from parliamentarians, Gomelauri said that one […]
Georgia’s interior minister will head new security service
Vakhtang Gomelauri (left) and Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has named current Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri as new head of the State Security Service, a body that is created as the MIA is split in two. If confirmed by parliament, Gomelauri will leave his […]
Georgian president signs law that will split Interior Ministry
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Ministry of Interior will be split in two on August 1, and a new body called the State Security Service will come into existence. President Giorgi Margvelashvili has signed the law about splitting the ministry, which means that it is in force. […]
Georgian parliament approves controversial bank bill
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament in Georgia approved a bill on Sunday which will relieve the National Bank of responsibility for supervising private banks and instead transfer such authority to a new agency. The vote was preliminary, as the bill must go through […]
Judicial committee joins president in resisting National Bank bill
Committee head Vakhtang Khmaladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament’s judiciary committee agree with the president about a proposed bill to strip away the bank supervisory function from the National Bank, claiming that it violates the constitution. Committee chair Vakhtang Khmaladze said on Friday […]
Georgian president to veto National Bank bill
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–For at least the second time, the situation between the Georgian parliament and the president has become tense. Now the president plans to veto an initiative concerning the president of the National Bank. Since the president and non-governmental […]
Consultations begin to find new National Bank head
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The president is starting consultations to find a new head of the National Bank of Georgia (NBG). Current NBG head Giorgi Kadagidze was appointed during Saakashvili’s presidency for a seven years term which expires in February, 2016. According […]
Georgian government to have a ‘mountain minister’
Gia Zhorzholiani. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The ruling Georgian Dream coalition wants to create a new minister post in the government: mountain minister. The initiative is quite fresh, and the public and opposition MPs have not yet formed an opinion about the idea because not many details are known. […]
NGOs propose women’s quota in parliament
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Non-governmental organizations have registered a legislative proposal in parliament on Wednesday that will obligate political parties to include women on their party lists for the parliamentary election. Currently, 77 out of the 150 members of parliament […]
Georgian president to veto bank supervision bill
Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president is preparing to veto a bill to form an independent supervisory agency to oversee the banking system, because it contradicts an association agreement which Georgia signed with the EU last year. Recently, the government […]
Saakashvili allies left party to save Georgia from ‘pro-Russian forces’
Zurab Japaridze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Four former members of the National Movement say they left the party to save the country from ‘pro-Russian forces’ which may come to power in the 2016 parliamentary election. Zurab Japaridze, Goga Khachidze, Pavle Kublashvili and Giorgi Meladze […]
Georgia strips bank supervision authority from the National Bank
Roman Gotsiridze from Economic Development Center. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia has decided to strip the National Bank of responsibility for supervising banks and transfer this mechanism to the prime minister. The decision follows months of criticism by the government against the head of the National […]
Georgian government draws up plan for breakup of Interior Ministry
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia has drawn up a plan to split the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) into two units, with counterintelligence kept separately and under parliamentary control. Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili announced the revived […]
Georgia’s ruling coalition has lost half its support
ndiTBILISI, DFWatch–A new poll shows that the ruling coalition has lost almost half of its support since last year, while the National Movement has slightly increased its support. For other parties there is no significant change. If there were held a parliamentary […]
Georgian government wins confidence vote in parliament
Primie Minister Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After a week of political speculation, the ruling coalition declared confidence in the new government and its plan. The vote took place late at night on Friday, after MPs had been asking questions to cabinet members the whole day. There was some […]
Georgian government will face vote of confidence on Friday
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament will hold a vote of confidence about the new government May 8 at 13:00, by request of the speaker of parliament, who asked the president to schedule a special session at that time. The government has been pretending […]
Parliament anxiously awaiting the president’s list for new government
Davit Usupashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Friday is the last day for the president to present parliament with his candidates for a new government. Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili Tuesday evening warned President Giorgi Margvelashvili about the terms of the procedure by saying […]
New ministers begin working before approval in parliament
Tina Khidasheli began work as defense minister Monday, without approval from parliament. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three new ministers Monday started working, even though they haven’t been approved by parliament yet. Constitutional experts say it is unlikely that they have a right to function as ministers. The three new appointees arrived at their respective […]
Georgian PM appoints more western-oriented new ministers
PM Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili named three new ministers on Friday, two of whom are members of the Republican Party, which is regarded as a more western-oriented coalition member. The nominations are made against the backdrop […]
Georgian PM: Resignations are part of ‘healthy political process’
Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili says the resignations of two ministers, triggering a new vote of confidence, is a ‘healthy political process.’ There will be no more replacements, he added. A third of the ministers have now been changed since […]
Ivanishvili claims the president has joined the opposition
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Imedi.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili claims the president he handpicked has in fact become part of the opposition to the government coalition. He said this on his own show 2030 on GDS, a TV channel belonging to his rapper son Bera. […]
Georgian parliament to discuss low lari rate again
Zurab Tkemaladze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliament in Georgia is calling on the group of economy ministers to explain themselves again about the falling currency rate, but the finance minister claims the drop in the lari’s value is only temporary. The value of the Georgian lari started […]
Georgian minister says defense deal with France not called off
Mindia Janelidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s defense minister denies allegations by his predecessor that negotiations with France about a defense deal have ended. But the French ambassador to Georgia claims Georgia has not signed any air defense deal with France. […]
Free Democrats lose its members in Tbilisi City Council
Giorgi Muskhelishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Representatives of former Defense Minister Irakli Alasania’s party have withdrawn as a faction in the city council. The reason, they explain, is ‘incompatibility’ with his party, the Free Democrats. The Free Democrats Party was a member […]
Georgian Dream losing support according to IRI poll
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s governing coalition has lost support, while the former ruling party has gained, according to the latest poll by International Republican Institute (IRI), published Wednesday. If there were held parliamentary elections next Sunday, […]
Georgia to hold by-election in Martvili as parliament member passes away
Nauli Janashia. (UNM.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There will be this a by-election in one election district in Georgia to elect a replacement for a majoritarian member of parliament who passed away. Nauli Janashia, 68, represented Martvili, a town in the western Samegrelo region, […]
Georgian parliament again fails to hold crisis session
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament again failed to hold an extraordinary session about how to tackle a drastic drop in the value of the national currency, the lari. Again, the reason for cancelling the plenary session was that parliament members from the governing […]
Parliament meets Friday for crisis session
President Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president on Tuesday called a special parliamentary session dedicated to the monetary crisis in the country on March 13 at 12:00. The president’s administration published a decree signed by Giorgi Margvelashvili, which specifies […]
Saakashvili’s party again demands answers from government
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The National Movement party warns of an economic crisis in Georgia and demands measures from the government. The government claims the situation is under control and the ruling coalition sees no need for scheduling the special session. […]
Georgia’s govt fails to present crisis plan by March 5 deadline
Nodar Khaduri. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government in Georgia says it has not yet prepared an action plan for tackling the currency crisis after a drastic drop in the value of the national currency lari over the last few months. An action plan was expected on March 5, after […]
Georgia’s governing coalition received most donations in 2014
Georgian Dream received four fifths of all donations in 2014. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Dream received almost 82 percent of all political donations in Georgia in 2014. In total, 7.4 million laris (USD 3.7 million) was donated to political parties and subjects last year. The State Audit Office, a government body tasked […]
Saakashvili’s party planning rallies to unseat the government
Zurab Japaridze from the National Movement. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s former ruling party, the National Movement, is preparing to take to the streets this spring in a change of roles since a few years back. The call comes after the government refused to show up in parliament on Saturday to debate […]
Head of Georgia’s National Bank may be impeached for ‘inaction’
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The president of Georgia’s National Bank may be impeached after former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili on Thursday accused him of inaction in the face of a sudden thirty percent drop in the lari. The National Bank is an independent body whose […]
Wrestling world champion confirmed as member of Georgian parliament
Luka Kurtanidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A Georgian wrestler and double Olympic bronze medalist on Tuesday became a member of parliament. Luka Kurtanidze will be replacing Tamaz Avdaliani, who recently passed away due to illness. Eldar (Luka) Kurtanidze is on the same party list, […]
Saakashvili’s party will never get back in power: Ivanishvili
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Godfather of the government coalition in Georgia, financier Bidzina Ivanishvili, said in a newspaper interview this weekend that he doesn’t think the National Movement party will ever be able to get back in power. The National Movement […]
Georgian president meets with candidates for new Supreme Court head
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili on Saturday met for more than five hours with candidates for new head of the Supreme Court to learn about their plans and programs. Margvelashvili is continuing his selection of candidates for new […]
City Hall employee accused of corruption placed in pre-trial detention
Tbilisi City Hall. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The head of Tbilisi City Hall’s supervision service was Friday placed in to pre-trial detention on charges of bribery. During the court hearing, Prosecutor Malkhaz Getsadze said that the accused, Jokia Bodokia, accepted a bribe from Darioushi, […]
City Hall employee denies corruption charges
Mayor Davit Narmania denied that he is an old friend of the accused, Jokia Bodokia. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The head of City Hall’s supervision service pleaded not guilty in the case of taking a bribe in return for facilitating the construction of a new hotel. Jokia Bodokia was detained on Wednesday. His lawyer, Giorgi Kavlashvili, told journalists that his client […]
Brawl in Georgian parliament
Fighting broke out in parliament Friday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Parliamentarians on Friday got into a physical scuffle hitting microphones at each other because they didn’t agree on how to distribute delegates to the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe. The ruling coalition proposed reshuffling […]
Governing coalition may dismiss Free Democrats committee head
Parliamentary leader of the Georgian Dream coalition, Giorgi Volski. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The governing coalition is discussing whether to dismiss the head of parliament’s finance and budget committee, because he is a member of a party that left the coalition. The parliamentary majority believes it would be a mistake to have a representative […]
Ivanishvili’s new barrage against Alasania: ‘You are a weak manager’
Bidzina Ivanishvili at the National Library on Thursday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–On Thursday, Georgia’s richest person and godfather of the governing coalition again lashed out at Irakli Alasania, calling him ‘a weak manager’ who has made an ‘ignorant statement’. Alasania was recently dismissed and claims it was […]
Georgia’s surveillance bill passed, now up to president
(Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian parliament on Friday finally passed a law about secret surveillance that grants the Interior Ministry direct access to secret surveillance material with 73 votes in favor and 30 against. The ‘keys issue’, as it has come to be known […]
Georgian parliament makes new attempt to agree on surveillance reform
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has still not decided who should have access to secret surveillance material, a problem that has remained unresolved for more than half a year. But this week, parliament is to review several legislative proposals. A previous vote that […]
Government bloc in parliament grows to 87
TBILISI, DFWatch–The governing Georgian Dream coalition on Monday increased the number of seats it controls in parliament to 87, as twelve majoritarians agreed to support the bloc. The same day as the twelve decided to join the majority, the Free Democrats officially […]
Ex-defense minister’s party aims for victory in 2016 election
Irakli Alasania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s dismissed defense minister, Irakli Alasania, feels optimistic that his party which recently left the governing coalition will win in the parliamentary election of 2016. The Free Democrats on Saturday held a party conference, which with […]
Georgia’s ruling coalition loses one more parliament member
Shalva Shavgulidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream coalition received another unexpected blow Friday when one of its active members switched sides and joined the dismissed defense minister’s political party. Nevertheless, GD says the loss of Shalva Shavgulidze […]
Dismissed defense minister met Ivanishvili
Bidzina Ivanishvili (left) and Irakli Alasania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Defense Minister Irakli Alasania, who was dismissed a few days ago, Thursday evening met Bidzina Ivanishvili, the businessman who brought together the Georgian Dream coalition. Ivanishvili has avoided public statements since he left […]
Georgia’s ruling coalition struggling to maintain majority in parliament
Davit Saganelidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In Georgia, the party of the recently dismissed defense minister is rushing to try to deprive Georgian Dream of its majority, while the coalition is trying to retain it. If all ten members of the Free Democrats faction leave the coalition, this will […]
Georgian PM castigates dismissed defense minister
Irakli Garibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili castigated former Defense Minister Irakli Alasania on Thursday, calling him ‘a traitor’ and ‘an opportunist’. “What Alasania did, is a betrayal of the victory of 2012 and an attempt to deceive the Georgian […]
One party leaves Georgia’s govt coalition in midst of political crisis
Irakli Alasania announced Wednesday evening that the Free Democrats Party is leaving the government coalition. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government coalition in Georgia is in its worst crisis till now, as one party leaves and questions are raised about its western oriented course. Two ministers resigned in protest against the dismissal of the defense minister the day before, but the crisis […]
Georgian PM fires defense minister over corruption case
Irakli Alasania said he believes his dismissal was political. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili dismissed his defense minister Tuesday evening, hours after the Prosecutor’s Office brought charges against six more Defense Ministry officials. The sacked minister, Irakli Alasania, was one of the most […]
Georgian president vetoes postponement of surveillance reform
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili Friday vetoed a decision by the Georgian parliament to postpone a decision about reining in the use secret surveillance by the state. The veto is a highly confrontational move that could be a precursor of a major rift […]
PM’s relative appointed party secretary
Zviad Jankarashvili. (Photo published on Facebook.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A relative of the Georgian prime minister has been appointed as executive secretary of the Georgian Dream Party, the largest member of the government coalition by the same name. It was a unanimous decision by the political council of the Georgian […]
Georgian president says he may resign
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili has said he may dissolve parliament or step down if this is needed to avert a political crisis. After months of simmering conflict between him and the government, both part of the same coalition, there was […]
Georgian president denies that he plans to split from coalition
President Giorgi Margvelashvili during the swearing-in ceremony in November 2013. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s president has rejected suggestions that he is planning to set up his own political party, despite an apparent widening split between him and the government coalition. Speculations of a possible new opposition party seeing the light of day […]
Council member in Adjara accuses local official of corruption
Medea Vasadze, member of the Adjara regional council. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–There was further infighting in Georgia’s government coalition on Thursday as a member of the council in the Adjara region accused a local finance official of corruption. The accusation was put forth as the official, Davit Baladze, September 18 briefed […]
Split widened between Georgia’s president and government
President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The conflict between the Georgian president and the government soured even more on Wednesday after the TV company Rustavi 2 exposed private correspondence between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the president’s administration. […]
Tbilisi mayor says former government squandered city’s money
Mayor of Tbilisi Davit Narmania. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Tbilisi mayor says the city must tighten its belt, because the National Movement, which ruled the city for a decade, left ‘the worst budget ever’. Newly elected Mayor Davit Narmania from the Georgian Dream Coalition said on Tuesday that […]
Georgian businessman Ivanishvili criticizes president
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Palitra TV.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In a rare interview, former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has criticized President Giorgi Margvelashvili for harming the country’s image. Ivanishvili left politics after the presidential election in October, 2013. He said in an interview […]
Georgia sending two delegations to UN
President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President Giorgi Margvelashvili will attend the UN Climate Summit 2014 despite the express wishes of Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. The president has said many times that he will go to the US and his plan about the visit hasn’t changed. […]
Georgian president no longer to oversee student scholarships
President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The government wants to strip the president of the power to set terms for student scholarships and studies abroad. A new draft law about higher education will if passed let the it be up to the government to confirm the use of student advantages, […]
Georgian president defends decision to use lavish palace
The presidential palace lies on a hill overlooking Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili last year thought the presidential palace was too luxurious for him to use, but now he defends his decision to make it his place of work. In the presidential election campaign in October, 2013, Margvelashvili […]
Georgian president rebuffs MP for criticizing Bildt
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia President Giorgi Margvelashvili has rebuffed a parliamentarian in his own coalition for criticizing a tweet by Sweden’s Foreign Minister Carl Bildt. The controversy started when Bildt criticized the criminal charges against former President Mikheil […]
New ministers confirmed by lighthearted Georgian parliament
Giorgi Khachidze (left) posing for a selfie with Energy Minister Kakhi Kaladze. (Photo published by Khachidze.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Though officially on summer break, the parliament in Georgia convened on Saturday to declare trust in the government after seven of the ministers were replaced. The vote ended with 89 out of 150 representatives declaring trust in the government. No-one […]
Insults exchanged in parliament’s human rights committee
Committee head Eka Beselia. (Pirveli.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Two members of the Georgian parliament insulted each other on Thursday during a meeting of the human rights committee. The committee was discussing the Public Defender’s annual report for 2013 when Chiora Taktakishvili from the National Movement […]
New Georgian culture minister a government insider
New Culture Minister Mikheil Giorgadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili on Wednesday presented economist Mikheil Giorgadze, a government insider, as new culture minister. The PM on Monday dismissed seven ministers, but immediately reappointed two of them in new ministerial positions. […]
Georgian PM names all but one of new ministers
Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili (center) presented almost all the new ministers on Tuesday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili on Tuesday named another four out of seven candidates to fill the empty ministers seats left in a major government reshuffle. The first two replacements – for refugee minister and environment minister […]
Seven ministers replaced in Georgian government reshuffle
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews) TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili on Monday fired seven ministers: the ministers for agriculture, prisons, refugees, environment, infrastructure, culture and diaspora. Explaining his decision at a morning briefing, he said that for the last two […]
New Tbilisi city assembly convenes after the election
Giorgi Alibegashvili was elected new head of Tbilisi City Council. (Pirveli.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The new Tbilisi City Council on Monday held its first session after the local election to elect a new council head. Only nine members are being carried over from the previous assembly; four from the Georgian Dream coalition and five from […]
Tbilisi’s ex-mayor accused of embezzlement involving parking fees
Gigi Ugulava called the new charges absurd. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The former mayor of Tbilisi, Gigi Ugulava, was Monday charged with embezzlement involving the city’s parking company. In a statement the Finance Ministry’s investigative service says the company CT Park Ltd, which hires parking […]
Campaign finance watchdog wants to fine the government
The Audit Office. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The public watchdog overseeing the financial activity of political parties in Georgia claims that the government coalition has received an illegal donation of GEL 40,000 (USD 22,500). The Financial Monitoring Service of the Georgian […]
Georgian president will not attend signing of EU treaty
President Giorgi Margvelashvili will not be present during the signing of a treaty between Georgia and the EU in Brussels on Friday. TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president, whose authority includes signing international treaties and who delegated the right to sign the Association Agreement with EU to the prime minister, won’t be in the Georgian delegation. Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze […]
Two of Georgian president’s top people left
Vano Machavariani, foreign policy adviser to the Georgian president, left his job Friday. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian president’s foreign policy adviser Vano Machavariani left his job on Friday. The head of the president’s administration, Lasha Abashidze, also resigned. Both delivered a written resignation, but Machavariani told […]
Georgian PM expects ‘adequate assessment’ of his efforts
Tbilisi, Dfwatch – Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili hopes that a progress done by Georgia will be ‘adequately assessed’ on the upcoming NATO Summit in Wales, but he also thinks it is not advisable to speak of this issue in advance, as it raises false expectations among his fellow counterparts. […]
Parties in Georgia don’t pay enough attention to youth
Tako Kakabadze (left), Ako Goguadze and David Uchadze. (Click to watch video.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Three youth politicians told DF Watch in a recent discussion that political parties in Georgia do not pay much attention to youth problems. On May 31, Tako Kakabadze from New Rightists Party’s youth wing, Ako Goguadze from the youth wing of the […]
Georgian president maintains signing power remains with him
President Giorgi Margvelashvili could delegate signing power to Prime Minister Gharibashvili when Georgia signs an association agreement with the EU June 27, an expert on the constitution suggests. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili maintains that he should sign Georgia’s association agreement with the EU, but says he wants to avoid a dispute about the issue. Shalva Tadumadze, parliamentary secretary of the government, said Friday […]
Mayor wins right to be reinstated weeks before end of term
Gigi Ugulava in court in March, 2014. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Constitutional Court on Friday revoked a decision to suspend Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava pending a corruption trial, and he now plans to go back to work only weeks before the local election. Tbilisi City Court suspended Ugulava […]
Continued speculation about who should sign Georgia’s EU treaty
Georgia’s treaty with the EU will be signed by Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili, although he is not head of state. Will that make the treaty invalid? (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–When Georgia signs an association agreement with the European Union in late June, it will be Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili who will do the signing. This is despite it clearly being stated in the constitution that the president is the one who signs […]
Why did Georgia declare a ‘moratorium’ on ex-officials?
Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–After the government Monday announced a ‘moratorium’ on prosecuting politicians, the National Movement criticizes it for misleading people by not fulfilling its promise. On Monday, Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili in a statement called on […]
Georgia gets new region and infrastructure minister
From left to right: Davit Narmania, Irakli Gharibashvili and Elhuja Khokrishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Elguja Khokrishvili was Monday appointed as Georgia’s new minister for regional development and infrastructure. He will take over from Davit Narmania, who is stepping down in order to run for Tbilisi mayor in the local elections on June 15. Announcing […]
Opposition groups form coalition in Tbilisi
Dimitri Lortkipanidze, the United Opposition’s candidate for Tbilisi Mayor. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–A coalition of opposition parties not represented in parliament met on Friday to present their candidate for Tbilisi Mayor: former MP Dimitry Lortkipanidze. The coalition was created by Nino Burjanadze’s Democratic Movement together with three […]
Poll shows Georgian Dream winning Tbilisi mayoral race
Georgian Dream’s candidate for Tbilisi mayor, Davit Narmania, who currently is Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–In a new poll, 52 percent of Tbilisians say they would vote for the Georgian Dream candidate for mayor if the local elections were held tomorrow. Four percent say they won’t vote for anyone, and 18 percent haven’t decided yet. Another source […]
Georgia without ambassador to the UK for more than a year
Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia has been without an ambassador to the UK for more than a year. In recent days, a candidate who is being considered for the post became a subject of dispute among politicians. During the process of so-called co-habitation between ex-president […]
What did Ivanishvili criticize the Georgian president for?
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili refrained from commenting on criticism from ex-Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili beyond saying it is ‘painful’. In a TV interview, Ivanishvili said Margvelashvili revealed completely different features after the […]
Ivanishvili dissatisfied with president he recommended
Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Former Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is dissatisfied with the president that he selected as candidate. Ivanishvili selected Giorgi Margvelashvili as the Georgian Dream coalition’s candidate before the presidential election in October […]
Christian Democrats leader leaves amid coalition talks
Giorgi Targamadze. (Interpressnews.) TBILISI, DFWatch–Giorgi Targamadze, the leader of the opposition Christian Democratic Movement, has left the party, after it began planning to form a coalition with Nino Burjanadze’s Democratic Movement. Targamadze, a former TV journalist, said at a press […]