GEORGIA: The PM on Elections & more – 22nd Aug 2024

Gamarjobat from Gracia! This is the Rorshok Georgia Update from the 22nd of August twenty twenty-four. A quick summary of what's going down in Georgia.

On Thursday the 15th, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze talked about the upcoming parliamentary elections, set for the 26th of October. He said that the ruling Georgian Dream or Otsneba party is pushing hard to win. The party only needs about six more seats to secure the majority, giving them significant power to pass laws without much opposition. Kobakhidze pointed out that opposition parties are scrambling to unite just to pass the 5% voting threshold, which he sees as a sign of their weakness and disorganization. According to him, their inability to gain broader support reflects how disconnected they are from the voters. Meanwhile, Otsneba is aiming for 113 seats in parliament, which would solidify their control.

More about the elections as on Thursday the 22nd, Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of Otsneba, took the stage at a pre-election meeting in Mtskheta. He urged everyone to support Otsneba in the upcoming elections, stressing that the party has kept Georgia stable and growing. Ivanishvili didn’t hold back in his speech, taking direct aim at the opposition—especially Natsebi—accusing them of trying to undo all the good that Otsneba had done. He said that while Natsebi was busy fighting among themselves and failing to unite, Otsneba was focusing on winning the majority in parliament to keep pushing Georgia forward. He also highlighted the importance of staying united under Otsneba’s leadership, which he believes is the only way to ensure the country’s continued success.

On Monday the 19th, the Helsinki Commission made serious accusations against Otsneba, saying that it relies on "black money" from a global network of fraudulent call centers. The Commission’s statement has raised concerns about the integrity of the parliamentary election process and has added more fuel to the ongoing debates about corruption and foreign influence in Georgian politics.

On Tuesday the 20th, Russian forces unlawfully detained two Georgian citizens near the village of Otobaia, close to the Administrative Boundary Line with Abkhazia. The detainees were accused of "illegally crossing" the border, a common accusation used by Russian forces in the area. This is just the latest in a series of similar incidents that have raised tensions in the region. The State Security Service of Georgia immediately contacted the European Union Monitoring Mission and other international partners to secure the release of the detainees. However, as of now, they have not been released, and negotiations are ongoing.

On Thursday the 22nd, Meta, the company that owns Facebook, announced they had taken down a network of fake accounts linked to Russia that targeted people in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. These accounts spread false information and tried to manipulate public opinion in the region.

On Friday the 23rd, the Special Investigation Service detained an employee of the Border Police. The officer, who works at the Ninotsminda border checkpoint, was caught red-handed accepting a bribe. According to the investigation, he had demanded money from a citizen in exchange for letting them cross the border without any issues.

On Wednesday the 21st, Khatia Dekanoidze, who recently rejoined Natsebi, found herself in a tough spot. Tsotne Tsitlidze, a fellow Natsebi member, publicly challenged her to explain to supporters in the city of Zugdidi why she left the party in the first place. Dekanoidze had previously quit Natsebi, saying she disagreed with the party’s direction, but her return has stirred up controversy. Tsitlidze’s comments show that there’s still a lot of tension within Natsebi, especially with elections coming up.

On Wednesday the 21st, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said that Georgia is now leading the region and even Europe in economic growth. He made it clear that this isn’t just luck—he credited the government’s smart policies for keeping the economy strong, even with all the global chaos going on. He said that with Otsneba at the helm, Georgia is on the right path, focusing on real progress that people can feel.

In some facts about the economy, Geostat, Georgia’s statistics office, reported on Friday the 16th that the unemployment rate has dropped by 3% compared to August twenty twenty-three, now sitting at about 14%. However, unemployment is still a major issue, especially in rural areas and among young people. The government has been touting this decrease as a success, but there’s still a lot of work to be done to create more stable, well-paying jobs for everyone in the country.

On Monday the 19th, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Mike Turner visited Georgia to strengthen ties between the two countries. They met with Georgian leaders to discuss security, democracy, and Georgia’s aspirations to join NATO and the EU. Former President Misha Saakashvili called the visit an important demonstration of the U.S.’s bipartisan support for Georgia. He emphasized how crucial U.S. backing is for Georgia’s democratic development and its alignment with Western values. Misha’s comments come as the country faces growing political polarization, with some groups pushing for closer ties with Russia, while others advocate for stronger integration with the West.

In labor news, on Monday the 19th, workers at Evolution Georgia, a company that provides online gaming services, went on strike. They’re demanding better pay and working conditions, and they’re asking the government to step in and help resolve the situation. This strike is drawing a lot of attention to the issues facing workers in this sector and could set an important precedent for labor rights in Georgia’s growing tech industry.

On Thursday the 22nd, a fire broke out at a shopping center in Tbilisi’s Gldani district. Luckily, emergency crews arrived quickly and managed to put out the blaze. No one was injured, but the incident has sparked concerns about fire safety in public spaces. Authorities are now investigating what caused the fire.

On Wednesday the 21st, the Roads Department of Georgia announced they’ve finished rebuilding an eighteen-kilometer stretch of road leading to the Bakhmaro Resort, which is a major tourist destination. The new road is expected to make the resort more accessible, which could boost the local economy by bringing in more tourists. This project is part of a larger effort to improve infrastructure across Georgia, especially in rural areas, and is seen as a positive step toward supporting regional development.

And to close this edition, also on Wednesday the 21st, the Zakaria Paliashvili Museum in Tbilisi reopened. Paliashvili is a big name in Georgian classical music, and the museum offers a look into his life, including personal items, original manuscripts, among other exhibits.

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

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Nakhvamdis!