TBILISI, August 8 – While almost all opposition parties intend to boycott the upcoming local elections, the ruling Georgian Dream party Thursday kicked off its campaign in the capital with a full slate of candidates and a message of continued progress. At a launch event at its newly opened party headquarters in Krtsanisi, south in … Read more
The response from European and American politicians and organizations to the Mzia Amaghlobeli case—centered on a media owner and journalist who slapped a police chief—appears to be part of a broader effort to pressure the Georgian Dream government, which many in the West increasingly view as authoritarian and aligned with Russian interests, writes Sopo Japaridze. … Read more
TBILISI, August 5 – Georgia’s parliament is preparing to release a 430-page investigative report in early September, just weeks ahead of local elections, which could serve as a pretext for banning the largest opposition party. The document, compiled over six months by a special parliamentary commission led by Tea Tsulukiani, probed alleged abuses carried out … Read more
TBILISI, July 31 – Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, has officially nominated incumbent mayor Kakha Kaladze for a third term in the upcoming municipal elections. The announcement was made during a high-profile campaign launch event in Mtatsminda Park in the capital attended by senior party leaders including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Georgian Dream (GD) … Read more
TBILISI, July 31 – Georgia may face increasing political isolation and domestic instability unless its current leadership changes course, according to analyst Vakhtang Dzabiradze. He warns that the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party’s recent rhetoric and actions reflect a clear shift away from European integration. In a wide-ranging interview, constitutional lawyer and political analyst Vakhtang … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Giorgi Vashadze, a former UNM-era official and current opposition figure who is in pre-trial detention, has issued a renewed appeal for unity among Georgia’s pro-Western political parties and activist groups. Writing from prison, Vashadze proposed forming a joint “unified resistance center” ahead of the country’s upcoming local elections on October 4. His message was … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–A opposition politician in Georgia has promised large cash rewards to law enforcement officers who refuse to use force against protesters in case there is unrest in connection with the October 4 local elections. Levan Khabeishvili, former chairman of the United National Movement (UNM), called on security forces to “put down their weapons” and … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party is gearing up for the October local elections, with Tbilisi Mayor Kakhi Kaladze expected to run for a third term. Kaladze, a former professional footballer, confirmed this week that he will be the party’s candidate for mayor of the capital, although he has not formally declared his candidacy … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–President Mikheil Kavelashvili from Georgian Dream (GD) offers to pardons jailed opposition leaders, under the condition that they agree to participate in the upcoming local elections. He framed the offer as a constitutional initiative aimed at supporting democratic participation. But the offer sparked mixed reactions, especially among opposition groups who see the move more … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Speaker of Georgia’s Parliament has accused European Union-funded organizations of preparing to disrupt the country’s upcoming local elections. Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said Tuesday that“organizations funded by the EU embassy are preparing to disrupt the local elections.” He further claimed that the groups’s activities amount to a violation of international law and warned … Read more