TBILISI, October 5 – Georgia’s prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze warned harsh consequences after last night’s violent protest, branding it as an “attempted coup,” and said it could give grounds for banning the largest opposition party. The night saw chaos and confrontation after precincts had closed in an election that gave the ruling Georgian Dream party … Read more
TBILISI, October 3 – Tensions flared in Georgia’s capital on the eve of crucial local elections after violence broke out near Metekhi Bridge, leaving two people injured, including a youth leader from the opposition United National Movement (UNM). Igor Narmania, head of UNM’s youth wing, was preparing to make a public statement with fellow activists … Read more
TBILISI, October 3 – On the eve of Georgia’s local elections, parts of the opposition are promising what they call a “peaceful revolution.” The dramatic language has raised tensions in Tbilisi, where analysts warn that the country may be heading for a confrontation with echoes from its turbulent past. According to Rezonansi, opposition organizers initially … Read more
TBILISI, October 2 – As Georgia prepares for local elections on October 4, political analyst Aleksandre Tvalchrelidze paints a stark picture of the domestic and international environment. Speaking to Interpressnews, he described the vote as perhaps the most unpopular in the country’s modern history. “The October 4 elections will likely be the most unpopular in … Read more
TBILISI, October 2 – Tbilisi City Hall has rejected a request from Paata Burchuladze, founder of the “Rustaveli Avenue” movement, to install four stages in the city center for a mass rally planned on Election Day, October 4. In his application submitted on September 29, Burchuladze asked to place stages at four central sites: Freedom … Read more
TBILISI, September 30 – Georgia’s Supreme Court was evacuated after authorities received another bomb threat, the State Security Service confirmed on Friday. Officials said security teams were following established protocols to check the building after the alert. No details were immediately given about the source of the threat. It marks the second such incident in … Read more
TBILISI, September 22 – Political analyst Irakli Melashvili says Georgia’s political scene has reached a dangerous stalemate, where dialogue between government and opposition is no longer possible. In a wide-ranging interview with Interpressnews, he painted a grim picture of a society radicalized by years of divisive rhetoric. “The main feature of political life in Georgia … Read more
TBILISI, September 22 – Georgia’s opposition are adjusting their language under pressure from the ruling party’s legal threats ahead of a planned October 4 rally previously presented as a ‘peaceful revolution.‘ Paata Burchuladze, founder of the “Rustaveli Avenue” movement, said he was replacing the phrase “peaceful overthrow” with what he jokingly called “affectionate clean-up.” His … Read more
TBILISI, September 18 – The opposition in Georgia are divided ahead of the October 4 local elections, a day some groups have called for using to stage a “peaceful revolution,” while other disagree. Former prime minister Giorgi Gakharia, now leader of the For Georgia party, dismissed the plan as an illusion and “the biggest mistake.” … Read more
TBILISI, September 17 – A group of activists in Georgia say they are preparing for what they call a “peaceful revolution” on October 4, vowing to announce a caretaker government and declare power transferred by 8 pm the same night. The organizers, who have branded the rally a “national congress,” claim they expect between 200,000 … Read more