Georgia Update – IRI Survey & more– 27 April 2023

We start with some fresh survey reports. On Tuesday, the 25th, the International Republican Institute, or IRI, published an opinion poll that shows Georgian views on different issues like politics, the economy, education, corruption, among others. One of the most important things is that sixty-two percent of respondents said the country is heading in the wrong direction. Compared to last year, this number stayed the same. When asked which party they would vote for if parliamentary elections were held next Saturday, nineteen percent of respondents named the Georgian Dream or Otsneba as their first choice and fourteen percent said they would vote for the United National Movement or Natsebi. However, compared to last year's results, Otsneba lost six percent while Natsebi gained two.

Moreover, compared to last year's poll, the number of people in support of joining the EU increased by four percent, with a total of eighty-nine percent. The Opposition deemed the numbers as a significant defeat of Otsneba's "pro-Russian" policies, while Otsneba speakers said that they don't trust IRI polls.

Continuing with the Parliamentary saga... On Thursday the 20th, for the third time, Otsneba prevented creating an investigation commission that would look into possible corruption in the judiciary system. As before, Otsneba members did not register for the session. Thus the absence of a quorum of seventy-six deputies nullified the initiative. Ana Natshvlishvili, opposition deputy from the Lelo party, said that it is critical to get rid of the so-called clan, the four judges sanctioned by the US, of the judiciary system if Georgia wants to get the European Union candidate status. However, Irakli Kobakhidze, one of Otsneba leaders, demands proof of the allegations and says that his party will do everything to prevent Natsebi from creating any investigation commission.

Speaking of Natsebi, we have some updates on internal disputes within the party between Nika Melia, the former leader of Natsebi, and Levan Khabeishvili, the party's current leader. On Monday, the 24th, deputies of the council of Batumi in the Adjarian Autonomous Region accused Levan Khabeishvili of usurping power by eliminating four members of Natsebi from a list of possible substitute candidates for a Batumi Council deputy, who decided to leave the post. According to the report, those deputies demanded an explanation from Khaveishvili and said he would have to leave the post if he didn't change his decision. Also, they claimed that Khabeishvili did it because they actively supported Nika Melia. In response, Khabeishvili noted that those members slandered Natsebi multiple times and that those who slandered the party wouldn't get a post in future elections.

On Friday the 21st, parents of children with achondroplasia organized protests in front of the Government Administration because they wanted a clear answer from Health Minister Zurab Azarashvili regarding the Ministry’s financing of the drug "Vosoritide." Members of the opposition joined the protesters and requested timely decisions on the issue as the children diagnosed with achondroplasia urgently needed the medicine. On Monday, the 24th, Prime Minister Garibashvili, at the government meeting, said that the state would do everything in its power and called on protesting parents saying they "should not let themselves be used by politicians and they should not knowingly or unknowingly take part in this political campaign." Also, Garibashvili mentioned that the drug is in clinical trials in the US, and there are some issues with its use, as the World Health Organization representatives in Georgia do not recommend funding this program.

ili left Georgia for Syria in: 2013

Let's move to some international news. On Thursday, the 20th, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued a letter calling on President Salome Zourabichvili to pardon Nika Gvaramia, the head of the Mtavari Arkhi channel, who is serving three and a half years in prison for alleged abuse of office during his previous role as a director of another broadcaster. The organization reminded Zourabichvili that releasing Gvaramia would strengthen Georgia's aspirations to become a member of the European Union.

Also, on Tuesday the 25th, according to the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Georgian citizens stuck in the middle of the civil war in Sudan will leave the country safely. Furthermore, two Georgian air carriers, GeoSky and MyWay, confirmed that Georgian citizens – most of whom were employees of these companies, took shelter in the Georgian embassy in Cairo, Egypt, and will fly to Georgia by the end of the week.

On Tuesday, the 25th, Prime Minister Garibashvili visited Brussels and met with Charles Michel, European Council President, and Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General. The Secretary-General emphasized that NATO fully supports Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and that the country can depend on NATO's ongoing political and practical support. He also urged Georgia to continue its efforts toward democratic reforms and uphold democratic standards. He welcomed the decision to withdraw the draft law on foreign influence, which did not align with Euro-Atlantic values and fundamental freedoms. Charles Michel stressed the importance of improving Georgia's judicial system, the rule of law, and freedom of the press. The President also expressed that this is a significant moment for Georgia, and the EU is ready to support Georgia in every way possible to fulfill the twelve recommendations to get the EU candidate status.

Regarding the twelve recommendations, on Thursday the 20th, under the leadership of the Open Society Georgia Foundation, eight organizations prepared an assessment document – EU CANDIDACY CHECK, which reflects the progress achieved by the Georgian authorities. Based on evaluations by civil society organizations, Georgia fully implemented only one priority, mostly fulfilled two priorities, and partially fulfilled four recommendations, while the government did not yet implement the remaining five. So far, depolarization, deoligarchization, an independent judiciary, media freedom, and involvement of civil society remain crucial challenges in the way of Georgia's EU membership candidacy.

Moving on to infrastructural news. On Tuesday, the 25th, Irakli Karseladze, Infrastructure Minister, announced that the Ministry would fully lift the special traffic mode on Rikoti Pass, introduced due to a landslide threat during ongoing works on the kilometer 149 section of the Pass before the start of the summer season.

Let’s close this edition with some good news. On Thursday, the 20th, the Government announced that the country would host music concerts in August. On Tuesday, the 25th, Levan Davitashvili, Minister of Economy, said that Starring Georgia, a planned summer series of music performances by the world's prominent artists will bring into the country over 100 million laris (or 40 million dollars), promoting domestic economy and tourism. So, if you like music, it is an excellent opportunity to listen to your favorite performers and visit Georgia's summer resorts.