Georgian Parliament passes updated foreign agents law
The Georgian Parliament passed the final reading of a new “foreign agents” law, Sova reported on April 1.
Georgian Dream
Georgia sentences ex-President Saakashvili to additional 4.5 years over illegal border crossing
The latest ruling follows a nine-year prison sentence issued last week over Saakashvili's alleged large-scale embezzlement of state funds, adding up to almost 12 additional years in prison.
Georgia's ex-President Saakashvili sentenced to 9 more years in prison on embezzlement charges
The judge found Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili guilty of misappropriating 9 million lari (about $5.4 million at the time) from the state budget for personal expenses, including luxury hotels, cosmetic procedures, and designer clothing.
Georgian parliament votes to terminate mandates of 49 opposition MPs
Members of Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party voted to revoke the mandates of 49 opposition parliamentarians on Feb. 5 after they refused to take their seats, citing concerns over the legitimacy of the results of the October parliamentary election.
Multiple Georgian opposition leaders arrested as pro-EU demonstrators block highway in Tbilisi
Georgian police arrested two opposition leaders, including the former mayor of Tbilisi, during a street protest against the ruling Georgian Dream party, Echo of the Caucasus reported on Feb. 2.
Georgia withdraws from PACE, calls demands for new elections 'blackmail'
Georgia withdrew its delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Jan. 29 after the Assembly passed a resolution calling for Tbilisi to hold new parliamentary elections.
EU suspends visa privileges for Georgian officials over democratic backsliding
"Fundamental rights and democratic values are core principles of EU integration. Officials that represent a country which trample down these values should not benefit from easier access to the EU," said Tomasz Siemoniak, Poland's interior minister.
Georgian businesses and employees to carry out nationwide strike demanding new elections
Georgian citizens are being urged to participate in a nationwide strike on Jan. 15 to demand the release of detained protestors and to call for new elections, Protest 24 posted on Facebook.
Over 20 foreign citizens to be deported from Georgia for participating in protests
The Migration Department of the Georgian Interior Ministry has initiated expulsion proceedings against 25 foreign nationals.
Nordic, Baltic countries voice concerns about elections in Georgia, call for investigations
The Nordic Baltic Eight countries have urged Georgia to hold new elections following disputed parliamentary elections in October and the inauguration of the new president, according to their statement published on Dec. 29.
Anti-Western Kavelashvili sworn in as Georgia's president, pro-EU Zourabichvili disputes legitimacy
Georgian anti-Western politician Mikheil Kavelashvili, an ally of the ruling Georgian Dream party, was inaugurated as the country's sixth president on Dec. 29 in a move seen as illegitimate by the opposition.
OSCE urges Tbilisi to institute reforms in final report on Georgian parliamentary elections
"To safeguard the democratic principles currently at stake in Georgia, it is imperative that the authorities urgently address all concerns," OSCE representative Eoghan Murphy said.
Lithuania and Estonia introduce new sanctions against Georgian officials
Lithuania and Estonia have imposed sanctions against Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and several government officials, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budris announced on X on Dec. 15.
Georgia's opposition parties appeal to EU following election of pro-Russian president, Sova reports
In a joint letter, Georgian opposition leaders urged the release of all detained politicians, activists, and peaceful demonstrators; the introduction of targeted sanctions against those responsible for "undermining democracy;" the suspension of visa-free travel and visa restrictions for Georgian Dream officials; and the declaration of the "self-proclaimed regime" of Bidzina Ivanishvili as illegitimate.
Georgian parliament bans masks, fireworks during protests
The fine for wearing a mask or using lasers or fireworks is 2,000 Georgian lari ($712).
US announces visa bans for individuals over undermining Georgian democracy
The U.S. State Department announced visa bans for approximately 20 Georgian individuals for undermining democracy in the country, according to the department’s statement on Dec. 12.
Georgian PM announces new law banning face-coverings at protests
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced plans to introduce a law banning participants in rallies and counter-rallies from covering their faces, Georgia Today reported on Dec. 8.
Zelensky meets with Georgian President Zourabichvili, urges Georgians to 'not let government surrender country to Putin'
"Ukraine supports and stands in solidarity with the Georgian people, who are currently fighting for a worthy future for themselves," Zelensky told Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili during the meeting. "It is important to always respect the will of the people and not let the Ivanishvili government surrender the country to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin."
Ukraine sanctions Georgian oligarch Ivanishvili, PM, other officials amid pro-EU protests
The sanctions target oligarch and de facto leader of Georgian Dream Bidzina Ivanishvili and 18 other individuals.
Georgian police detain opposition leader amid protests
Georgian police detained Nika Gvaramia, the leader of the Coalition for Change opposition party, on Dec. 4 amid government crackdowns as pro-EU protests in the country continue.
Georgia’s fight for democracy is at a breaking point
On Oct. 26, Georgia held parliamentary elections under a proportional system with a 5% threshold. According to the Central Election Commission, the ruling Georgian Dream party secured 53.93% of the vote, earning 89 parliamentary mandates but falling short of a constitutional majority. Opposition parties received 37.79% of the
Protests in Georgia, explained
For the fifth day in a row, Georgians are holding massive protests against their government in the country's capital, Tbilisi. The brewing dissatisfaction was ignited by the country's democratic backsliding under the leadership of the pro-Russian, increasingly illiberal government. The final straw appeared to be the parliament elections won by
Georgian opposition leader briefly detained amid crackdown on pro-EU rally
Over 220 protesters have been detained over the past few days, the country's Interior Ministry said. This included several journalists and Zurab Japaridze, leader of the opposition Girchi – More Freedom party, who was detained on Dec. 2 before being released the same day.
Zourabichvili says she'll remain Georgian president until legitimate parliament elected
An illegitimate parliament will not be able to elect a new head of state, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said.
US suspends strategic partnership with Georgia amid mass protests
"Georgian Dream’s various anti-democratic actions have violated the core tenets of our U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership ... As a result, the United States has suspended this mechanism."
Protests erupt across Georgia in defiance of government's anti-EU stance
Protests have now spread from Tbilisi to Batumi, Zugdidi, Kutaisi, Telavi, Gurjaani, and other Georgian cities, sparked by the government's decision to postpone EU accession talks.
Foreign Ministry condemns Georgian response to demonstrations as second night of protests in Tbilisi continues
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) condemned Georgian authorities’ aggressive response against protestors in Tbilisi, according to a statement released on Nov. 29.
Police disperse protesters in Tbilisi after pro-Russian government refuses to negotiate EU accession
Protesters claim that the refusal to negotiate accession to the EU by 2028 is "a betrayal of the country's interests."
Opinion: Georgia’s civil society is the last line of defense for democracy
Georgia finds itself at a crossroads. The Oct. 26 elections, in which the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed victory, have brought to the surface deep concerns about the integrity of our democracy. Civil society organizations, independent media, and the international democratic community have all raised alarms about widespread irregularities during
'Whoever enters parliament enters Russia,' Georgian president says
"I am sure that the parties will not enter the parliament ... Today, whoever enters the parliament will enter Russia," Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said on Nov. 22.
Updated: Georgian police disperse protesters in Tbilisi, 16 detained
Georgian police dispersed a protest in Tbilisi demanding new elections on the eve of Nov. 18, but organizers promised a quick resumption elsewhere.
Tbilisi court rejects 11 lawsuits challenging Georgian election results
A Tbilisi court has dismissed all 11 lawsuits filed by Georgian opposition parties and civil society organizations seeking to invalidate protocols issued by district election commissions, News Georgia reported on Nov. 14.
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