TBILISI, DFWatch–A fatal building collapse in central Tbilisi earlier this month has intensified debate over housing safety and city governance, just months before Georgia’s local elections in October.
The opposition party Lelo for Georgia staged a protest on Thursday, spotlighting what it calls the city’s widespread neglect of deteriorating residential buildings.
Standing in front of a building in the southern Tbilisi district of Isani, Nika Cherkezishvili accused Tbilisi City Hall of ignoring calls for assistance for 12 years from the owners of a house in dire need of repairs.
“There may be a tragedy that happened at the Station Square, Kaladze and Tbilisi City Hall will be responsible,” Cherkezishvili said.
With over 10,000 structures reportedly in hazardous condition, the party is using the issue to challenge the leadership of Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze and his ruling party allies.
Public anger surged after a building near the capital’s main railway station collapsed, killing two people. Although the building had previously been declared unsafe, residents had not been evacuated. Opposition parties blamed City Hall for failing to act in time.
In the wake of the tragedy, Tbilisi authorities moved to tighten enforcement of building safety standards. This led to the recent evacuation of a structurally unsound building on Tvalchrelidze Street in the city’s Varketili district. The building had housed internally displaced persons (IDPs), and the forceful nature of the eviction sparked controversy.
Four people were detained by police during the operation, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. City officials say nine families were offered temporary housing assistance, but only two accepted.
Mayor Kaladze has defended the response, saying the building is privately owned and that municipal authorities are limited to offering support, not enforcing action without full resident consent.
