GEORGIA: The Georgian Charter & more – 6th Jun 2024

Gamarjobat from Gracia! This is the Rorshok Georgia Update from the 6th of June twenty twenty-four. A quick summary of what's going down in Georgia.

On Tuesday the 4th, the For Georgia party or Gakharia Sakartvelostvis said it would not sign the "Georgian Charter" introduced by President Zurabishvili, which aims to repeal harmful laws, like the Russian Law, reform the justice system, improve elections, and protect the country’s European integration. The party supports some reforms but opposes holding early elections and forming a temporary government. The call for early elections stems from widespread concerns that the current government is corrupt and pro-Russian. There are fears that the ruling party, the Georgian Dream or Otsneba, might manipulate votes in the next election, especially after implementing the "Russian Law" which could block NGOs from protecting the voting process. The goal is to ensure the integrity of the 26th of October national elections and protect Georgian citizens' votes from any potential manipulation or fraud.

However, on Wednesday the 5th, seventeen political parties and five independent deputies signed the "Georgian Charter" at the Orbelian Palace.

Speaking of the president, on Tuesday the 4th, Zurabishvili criticized the government’s decision to bring in a Chinese consortium to develop the Anaklia port, saying it harms relations with the US and European partners. She said that the focus on the "Russian Law" has diverted attention from other important government decisions. She pointed out issues with the "offshore law," changes to the election code, and the preparation of a controversial pension fund law, stressing the lack of transparency in these decisions.

On Wednesday the 5th, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused certain political figures, like former officials and opposition leaders, of threatening a Maidan-style uprising against Georgia. The Maidan revolution in Ukraine led to significant violence and political upheaval, with many deaths. Kobakhidze said these politicians let parts of Ukraine and Georgia fall under Russian control and now blame Georgia instead of taking responsibility.

During a US Congress hearing on Tuesday the 4th, William Courtney, the former US Ambassador to Georgia, compared the paths of Ukraine and Georgia towards the EU. He said both countries had revolutions because of rigged elections and leaders wanting to revert to the past.

On Wednesday the 5th, Michael Roth, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of Germany’s Parliament, warned that a Russian-style Law on LGBTI rights is another serious threat to Georgia's EU ambitions. He criticized Otsneba for targeting sexual minorities after the "Russian Law." The party is proposing laws to regulate marriage, adoption, sex change procedures, and gatherings of sexual minorities. These laws will also restrict broadcasters from promoting gender diversity, and same-sex relationships. Roth urged Otsneba to stop these initiatives.

On Friday the 31st of May, the National Statistics Service reported that the country’s exports in the twenty twenty-four January-March period totaled around 1.3 billion dollars, a 9 percent drop compared to last year. Russia, Turkey, and China were Georgia's top trading partners, accounting for nearly 72 percent of total domestic exports. Leading export items included wine, ferroalloys, and precious metal ores and concentrates.

On that note about the economy, here’s an update on online shopping: a report by Galt and Taggart published on Monday the 3rd showed Georgia's fast-growing online shopping market since COVID-19, jumping from 11% in twenty eighteen to 23% in twenty twenty. The report predicts a 52% annual growth rate by twenty twenty-five. Electronics and household appliances lead the market, followed by clothing and accessories. According to some Georgian students, online shopping offers more variety and convenience compared to in-person shopping.

In more economic news, on Monday the 3rd, the National Bank of Georgia announced new consumer protection rules starting from the 1st of July. Consumers can cancel remotely concluded contracts and loans up to one million lari (about 370,000 USD) within fourteen days of signing. Financial organizations must now inform customers verbally about important contract terms before providing financial products.

On Thursday the 6th of June, the Council of Europe reported that Georgia ranks second in Europe for its prison population, with 237 inmates per 100,000 people, just behind Turkey. The survey showed a rise of 8% in Georgia's prison population compared to the previous year. Factors like harsh penalties and limited alternatives to prison contribute to the high rates.

On Thursday the 30th of May, SABUKO, a BirdLife partner, started the Kakheti Steppes project in Georgia’s Kakheti region to protect biodiversity and conserve local species. SABUKO collaborates with local farmers to restore wildlife habitats and has implemented methods like mob grazing, e-fences, and targeted restoration measures.

Since we mentioned Kakheti, on Tuesday the 4th, the Georgian National Tourism Administration organized a press tour in Vashlovani, in the Kakheti region, to promote domestic tourism and protected areas. For three days, Georgian media representatives, including journalists, photographers, and cameramen, will explore Vashlovani's protected areas. They will take photos of the local wildlife and study the tourist routes, hiking trails, picnic spots, and camping areas

On Thursday the 30th of May, Ushguli, the highest village in Svaneti, celebrated its resilience and rich heritage. Known as "Fearless Heart" or "Ushishari Guli," Ushguli recently marked the anniversary of the nineteen eighty-seven avalanche that nearly led to the village's evacuation. The then-mayor, Anzor Ratiani, encouraged the villagers to stay. The village is also home to the Lamaria Monastery and Mt. Shkhara, Georgia’s highest mountain. It hosts the house gallery of the late surrealist artist Pridon Nizharadze, now maintained by his brother Teimuraz, who is also becoming an artist.

Speaking of art galleries, on Thursday the 30th of May, the Gori Stalin Museum made headlines by sharing new content on social media, sparking discussions about Georgia's Soviet past. The museum continues to glorify Stalin with Soviet artifacts and little mention of his repressions. This museum has remained unchanged since its last update in nineteen seventy-nine.

Still on art, on Thursday the 30th of May, the Ria Keburia Foundation announced its support for Georgian artists. The foundation helps artists through a residency program in Kachreti by holding closed auctions four times a year. They also have an online platform, RIABID, which connects Georgian artists with a wider audience. Currently, Salome Devadze's solo exhibition "Heads, Heads, Heads" is on display at the foundation’s gallery. It is open until the end of July.

In other cultural events, on Thursday the 30th, the Tbilisi Piano Festival twenty twenty-four kicked off with a performance by renowned pianist Marc-André Hamelin at the Tbilisi State Conservatoire. Hamelin's concert featured pieces from the 19th and 20th centuries, like Ravel’s ‘Gaspard de la nuit.’ The festival celebrates piano music by providing a platform for established and emerging musicians to perform in Tbilisi.

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

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Nakhvamdis!