Sunday, December 21, 2025

Politics

Georgian opposition figure proposes new joint platform headed by ex-president Zourabichvili

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Jailed opposition figure Giorgi Vashadze has proposed a new political initiative aimed at unifying key opposition parties ahead of parliamentary elections. The plan involves the creation of a joint political platform headed by ex-President Salome Zourabichvili, joining together the “Resistance Platform” and eight parties currently boycotting the municipal elections. “This is not just a … Read more

Two opposition parties decide to participate in Georgia’s upcoming elections, triggering resignations

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Tensions are escalating within Georgia’s opposition as two parties declared they will participate in the upcoming local elections on October 4. The decision by the parties For Georgia, led by former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, and Lelo – Strong Georgia have have triggered resignations, internal divisions, and fierce criticism from opposition groups that have … Read more

Two opposition parties decide to participate in Georgia's upcoming elections, triggering resignations

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Tensions are escalating within Georgia’s opposition as two parties declared they will participate in the upcoming local elections on October 4. The decision by the parties For Georgia, led by former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, and Lelo – Strong Georgia have have triggered resignations, internal divisions, and fierce criticism from opposition groups that have … Read more

Former Adjara leader in critical condition after gunshot wound

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TBILISI, DFWatch–The former head of Georgia’s Adjara regional government, Tornike Rizhvadze, remains in critical condition after suffering a gunshot wound to the chest in what may have been a suicide attempt. Rizhvadze was first hospitalized in Sagarejo before being transferred to a clinic in Tbilisi early Saturday morning. Doctors report that Rizhvadze is on mechanical … Read more

Georgia’s president offers pardon to opposition leaders if they play along

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TBILISI, DFWatch–The opposition party “Lelo for Strong Georgia” has announced its decision to participate in the October 4 local elections, splitting from a bloc of parties calling for an electoral boycott. The announcement came days after President Mikheil Kavelashvili offered to pardon jailed opposition leaders, including Lelo founders Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, if they … Read more

Georgia's president offers pardon to opposition leaders if they play along

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TBILISI, DFWatch–The opposition party “Lelo for Strong Georgia” has announced its decision to participate in the October 4 local elections, splitting from a bloc of parties calling for an electoral boycott. The announcement came days after President Mikheil Kavelashvili offered to pardon jailed opposition leaders, including Lelo founders Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, if they … Read more

Hunger strike fails to unite opposition ahead of local elections

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TBILISI, DFWatch–With just a few months left until Georgia’s local elections on October 4, the country’s opposition remains deeply divided. Some parties are preparing to boycott the vote, while others intend to participate, hoping to secure victory in the capital and other opposition strongholds. Efforts to unite the opposition, including a brief hunger strike by … Read more

Georgia’s ruling party says opposition participation ‘irrelevant’ ahead of local elections

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TBILISI, DFWatch–As Georgia prepares to hold local elections in October, the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party says it expects a decisive win regardless of whether the opposition parties participate or not. “For the government, it doesn’t matter whether the opposition joins the elections. They have already won either way,” said analyst Edisher Gvenetadze. GD lawmaker … Read more

Parliament commission to investigative UNM crimes seeks extension ahead of damning report

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TBILISI, DFWatch–A temporary investigative commission in Georgia’s parliament is seeking to extend its mandate by one month, in order to complete a report expected to paint a detrimental picture of the former government’s abuse of power, starting from 2003. Chaired by MP Tea Tsulukiani of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, the commission was originally … Read more

Georgia to put ex-PM and opposition figure on trial ahead of elections

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TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation targeting former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia over a controversial 2019 security incident near the breakaway region of South Ossetia—a dramatic development ahead of the country’s October elections. Gakharia currently leads one of the few opposition parties willing to take part in the local elections later this year. … Read more