GEORGIA: Election Code & more – 4th July 2024

Gamarjobat from Gracia! This is the Rorshok Georgia Update from the 4th of July twenty twenty-four. A quick summary of what's going down in Georgia.

Kicking off this episode with some local politics, on Wednesday the 3rd, The Georgian Dream proposed new changes to the election code. They want to get rid of gender quotas and change how the Central Election Commission (or CEC) is formed. Otsneba says that these changes will make elections fairer and more transparent. The proposed changes include appointing CEC members through a parliamentary vote — instead of the president picking someone — and reducing the number of opposition-appointed members. The elimination of gender quotas has sparked debate. Advocates for the elimination argue that it promotes meritocracy, but others insist that quotas are crucial for ensuring women's representation in politics.

The Strategy Agmashenebeli party aims to create an alliance with the United National Movement or Natsebi. This coalition aims to strengthen the opposition front against the ruling party. These parties believe that by uniting, they will be able to present a greater challenge to the ruling party in the upcoming parliamentary elections. This collaboration could significantly influence the political landscape, providing a more balanced political environment.

On the other hand, on Monday the 1st, Mikheil Daushvili from the For Georgia party announced they would run independently in the upcoming elections without forming alliances. He wants to turn Otsneba into the opposition. Daushvili dismissed potential alliances with other opposition groups, highlighting that their primary focus is to participate as an autonomous force and push for negotiations with the European Union.

Continuing with political news, on Thursday the 27th, the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly passed a resolution about democracy in Georgia. The resolution pointed out problems like the lack of judicial independence and media freedom, and it called for reforms to fix these issues. Even though there is support for the resolution, saying that it was necessary, there are critics who think that this is interfering with the country’s affairs.

More about the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, as on Friday the 28th, it said it was worried about the latest “Russian law”, which makes NGOs and media that get money from abroad register as "foreign agents." Critics say this could hurt civil society and free media. The law has caused protests and debates, with many people fearing it could silence important voices before elections.

On international relations, on Tuesday the 4th, Georgia announced it will join the NATO Jubilee Summit that will run from the 9th to the 11th of July in Washington. This summitt celebrates NATO's seventy-five years. Georgia's participation shows its strong commitment to working with NATO and ensuring security in the region. This event will allow Georgia to discuss important security issues and strengthen its ties with other NATO members.

Next up, on Friday the 28th, Juansher Burchuladze, the Defense Minister, reported the tragic death of pilot Rati Tchitchinadze in a Su-25 jet crash. He died during a training flight in the Marneuli area. The Defense Ministry has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. This incident prompted discussions about the safety and maintenance of military equipment in Georgia, raising concerns among both military personnel and the public.

Going back to political news, on Wednesday the 3rd, the Georgian Parliament elected three new members to the Board of Trustees of the Georgian Public Broadcaster (or GPB). MPs approved the joining of Izabela Osipova, Soso Sturua, and Gogi Iakobashvili. The Public Defender nominated Osipova, the Supreme Council of Adjara nominated Sturua, and the parliamentary majority nominated Iakobashvili. These appointments aim to ensure diverse representation in the governance of the GPB, and maintain a balanced and impartial public broadcaster.

On some updates on education, on Tuesday the 2nd, the Unified Examinations began across Georgia. Thousands of students are taking exams to enter universities and higher education institutions. The tests will run through July. Education officials have set up various examination centers. These exams are vital because they determine students' academic futures, and many students have been preparing for months. The community is closely following the tests, as they play a significant role in shaping the country's future workforce.

Moving on to sports, on Monday the 1st, President Zurabishvili gave awards to the national football team and members of the football federation for making it to the Euro Cup twenty twenty-four — this was the first time that Georgia has participated in the UEFA Champions League since the Soviet Union. The celebration lit up the whole country, with fans everywhere sharing their joy on social media and in the streets. The President praised the players and staff for their hard work and dedication.

In cultural heritage news, there are projects underway to restore historical sites and engage communities in conflict-affected areas. These initiatives aim to save important places and promote cultural activities. By involving locals in the restoration efforts, the projects aim to foster community involvement and potentially attract tourists, which could boost local economies. Many community members are participating, highlighting a strong interest in preserving their history.

Still on culture, on Friday the 28th, the Women's Initiatives Supporting Group launched a new book celebrating diversity. The book features stories from women of various backgrounds in Georgia, highlighting their experiences and contributions in different fields, including politics, arts, and community service. It aims to promote understanding and acceptance, encouraging people to appreciate Georgia's diverse culture. The book is available in Georgian and has been translated into English.

On a similar note, on Monday the 1st, the Georgian National Museum announced that an ancient manuscript by John Zosimus would be displayed at the Simon Janashia Museum in Tbilisi. The manuscript, which dates back to the 9th century, offers a special look at the region's past. This arrival is a significant event for history fans and scholars because it provides new insights into Georgia's early Christian history, detailing religious practices and historical events of that time.

On the same day, Georgian and Kazakhstani cinema centers signed a memorandum of cooperation. This agreement aims to boost collaboration in the film industry between the two countries. The memorandum involves joint film productions, festivals, and training programs, promoting cultural exchange and enhancing the film industries in both nations. By working together, these countries hope to bring more diverse and culturally rich content to audiences, and foster a deeper understanding of each other’s cultures. This cooperation strengthens international cultural ties and supports the growth of the creative industries in both Georgia and Kazakhstan.

Still in the capital, on Tuesday the 2nd, the Tbilisi Independent Art Exhibition at Frieze Number 9 Cork Street opened to the public. It displays works from contemporary Georgian artists. This exhibition promotes Georgian art by showcasing it on an international stage and encourages cultural exchange between Georgia and other countries through artist collaborations, discussions, and workshops.

In some updates on heritage preservation, on Wednesday the 3rd, the Tbilisi City Council discussed efforts to preserve and promote the historic Narikala Fortress. The preservation work aims not only to maintain the fortress but also to attract tourists. In recent years, tourism in Tbilisi has fluctuated, with periods of decline due to political instability and the pandemic.

And to close this edition, I had an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Georgian Service and talked about what’s going on in Georgia. To read the full piece, in English, follow the link in the show notes!

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

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Nakhvamdis!