GEORGIA: Banning Opposition Parties & more – 29th Aug 2024

Gamarjobat from Gracia! This is the Rorshok Georgia Update from the 29th of August twenty twenty-four. A quick summary of what's going down in Georgia.

On Friday the 23rd, the Georgian Dream or Otsneba announced that if they won the parliamentary elections in October, they would ban opposition parties. Prime Minister Kobakhidze said that members of the opposition, like those in the United National Movement or Natsebi, are “criminals” trying to mess with Georgia’s sovereignty.

On Monday the 26th, the EU stepped in saying this could totally kill Georgia’s chances of joining the Union. The EU has already hit pause on Georgia’s membership application because of similar issues, especially after Otsneba pushed through the “Russian law” which forces NGOs and media outlets that get a lot of foreign funding to register as “foreign agents.” Peter Stano, the EU’s spokesperson, said that the bloc is watching closely and they’re ready to take action if Georgia doesn’t change course. The EU has also hinted that it might impose sanctions against Georgia if Otsneba doesn’t back down.

On Wednesday the 28th, Tina Bokuchava, an important figure in Natsebi, compared Otsneba’s recent moves to “Putinism,” saying they’re heading down the same road as Russia. She’s pushing for the EU and the US to slap sanctions on Otsneba and Bidzina Ivanishvili, who she says is the real power behind the scenes. Bokuchava warned that if the international community doesn't step in, Georgia might lose its democracy and get cut off from the West.

On Thursday the 22nd, the Natsebi party urged President Salome Zurabishvili to release former president Misha Saakashvili from prison. The party said that Saakashvili's health is declining rapidly, and they fear that if he remains imprisoned, Georgia's reputation on the global stage could be tarnished. They argue that his release would demonstrate Georgia’s dedication to human rights and democratic values. Despite these calls, Otsneba remains firm, insisting that Saakashvili must face justice for his past actions.

Meanwhile, on Friday the 23rd, the Georgian Orthodox Church revealed that the government proposed declaring Orthodoxy as the state religion of Georgia. Protopresbyter Giorgi Zviadadze confirmed the proposal. However, he said that it was unofficial. The suggestion has sparked controversy, with critics worrying that it could deepen the Church's influence over the state, potentially leading to a decrease in religious freedom for other faiths. Supporters of the move argue that it could strengthen the cultural and historical identity of Georgia.

On Tuesday the 27th, Tbilisi’s Mayor Kakha Kaladze called out President Salome Zurabishvili for taking the "Russian law” to court, seeking to have it repealed. Kaladze says the law is about protecting Georgia from foreign influence, but many see it as a way to silence critics and control the media. Zurabishvili filed the challenge earlier this month, but the court has yet to announce when it will deliver its ruling.

Moving on, on Wednesday the 28th, Otsneba rolled out their candidates for the October elections in Tbilisi. Among the key figures are Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, who is set to run again, and Irakli Kobakhidze, the party’s leader. Otsneba is showing off a team they say is experienced and ready to keep pushing forward with projects in the city, like fixing up roads, improving schools, and making healthcare better. Otsneba is trying to show they’ve got what it takes to keep things moving, but Natsebi sees this as part of a bigger plan to grab more power and shut down anyone who disagrees with them.

In other news, on Thursday the 22nd, Prime Minister Kobakhidze met with Fiona Gibb, the new British Ambassador to Georgia, in Tbilisi. They discussed keeping strong ties between Georgia and the UK, focusing on trade, security, and culture. Kobakhidze tried to reassure Gibb that Georgia was still on the path to joining Europe despite the recent tensions. Gibb promised that the UK would continue to support Georgia, especially in protecting its borders and standing up against regional threats.

On Monday the 26th, the National Environment Agency reported that the Black Sea’s water quality is still in good shape. There were concerns that the increase in tourists and ships might have caused pollution. The agency ran tests and found no major contamination, easing worries about the impact of the summer rush.

On Saturday the 24th, Georgia took a moment to honor Irakli Sutidze, a soldier who died fighting in the Shindisi battle during the two thousand eight Russia-Georgia war. President Zurabishvili gave his family the Order of National Hero of Georgia, one of the country’s highest honors, at a ceremony in the Presidential Palace. She praised Sutidze’s bravery and said his sacrifice is something the whole country should never forget. The event was emotional, with Sutidze’s family and military leaders all there to pay their respects.

On Friday the 23rd, Batumi opened its doors to the "Siren Call" exhibition, which explores the relationship between people and the sea. The exhibition features works from both local and international artists who showcase the beauty of the ocean while highlighting serious issues like pollution and overfishing. The organizers hope that this event will inspire more people to take action to protect the ocean and adopt more sustainable lifestyles. The exhibition is part of a growing movement in Georgia to use art as a way to address big social and environmental issues.

In more sad news, on Tuesday the 27th, Giorgi Koberidze, a reporter for the Moambe news program, suddenly passed away. Tributes have been pouring in from across Georgia.

Finally, on Thursday the 22nd, Borjomi kicked off its Night Serenades Festival, a yearly celebration of classical music that draws in talent from all over the world. This year’s festival has a mix of traditional Georgian music and more modern classical pieces, with performances set against the backdrop of Borjomi’s landscapes. The festival is a big deal not just for music lovers but also for the local economy, as it brings in tourists and showcases Borjomi as a cultural hotspot.

Aaand that’s it for this week! Thank you for joining us!

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Nakhvamdis!