TBILISI, May 24 – The government’s and opposition’s plans for Independence Day show how divided the country is politically. The government is preparing official celebrations for May 26, the day Georgia marks the declaration of its first republic in 1918. Opposition groups and civic activists are preparing a protest march the same evening, saying the … Read more
TBILISI, May 24 – Anti-government protesters marched through central Tbilisi on Saturday, as the government is preparing for the Independence Day festivities. The demonstrators gathered near the Philharmonic Hall and then moved toward parliament in what has become known as the traditional “Saturday march.” Participants carried Georgian and European Union flags. They also held a … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Dream (GD) hailed a congratulatory letter from U.S. President Donald Trump to President Mikheil Kavelashvili, interpreting it as the definitibve answer to which side of the political divide he supports after months of uncertainty. The letter, released on May 26 to mark Georgia’s Independence Day, expressed Washington’s commitment to “peaceful and productive relations” … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Despite deepening polarization, this year’s Independence Day celebrations in Tbilisi passed without major disruptions. Commentators credited careful planning and the physical separation of events with avoiding incidents, as the country remains engulfed in a deep political crisis where opposition leaders still, 212 days after the election, and with 180 days of continuous rallies, refuse … Read more