Episode 147
Otsneba’s new 'Honorary Chairman' & more – 11th Jan 2024
Ivanishvili's enhanced role in Georgian Dream, Russian activities near Gremiskhevi, civil society EU action plan, Georgia's economic growth, health alert for schools' reopening, and more!
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Transcript
Gamarjobat from Gracia! This is the Rorshok Georgia Update from the 11th of January twenty twenty four. A quick summary of what's going down in Georgia.
On Tuesday the 9th, reports emerged that Russian occupation forces dug military trenches near Gremiskhevi Village, escalating the ongoing tensions in the region. Georgian authorities and the international community are monitoring the situation…
As of Tuesday the 9th, Georgia's ruling party, Georgian Dream or Otsneba, updated its statute to establish an 'Honorary Chairman' role for founder Bidzina Ivanishvili. This move, formalized on Saturday the 30th, cements Ivanishvili's influential role in the party and Georgian politics, particularly in nominating the prime ministerial candidate, a power previously exercised informally. The opposition views this as a formal acknowledgment of Ivanishvili's ongoing political influence. This development in party structure reflects a significant shift in the Georgian political landscape ahead of the twenty twenty four elections, given that people perceive this move as Ivanishvili creating a political system similar to Russia's, where one person holds significant power.
On Thursday the 11th, the National Movement, a parliamentary faction in Georgia, formally requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to invite the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) to monitor the upcoming parliamentary elections. Tina Bokuchava, during a press conference, stressed the Foreign Ministry's responsibility for inviting OSCE/ODIHR is crucial for establishing the primary election observation mission in Georgia. She pointed out the government's failure to extend this invitation and highlighted the geopolitical significance of the forthcoming October elections for Georgia's European aspirations. Zurab Tchiaberashvili added that transparent and fair elections are vital for Georgia's EU integration ambitions, emphasizing the importance of both long-term and short-term observation missions.
On Thursday the 11th, the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the United National Movement's appeal regarding the invitation of OSCE/ODIHR observers for the twenty twenty four parliamentary elections. The Ministry clarified that the process of inviting observers is part of a plan, approved on the 27 of November by the Governmental Commission for European Integration, which aims to follow the European Commission’s recommendations for fair and competitive elections. The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concerns about the politicization of this issue by some parties and reiterated its commitment to transparency in the electoral process.
On Saturday the 6th, Georgia's Girchi Party made headlines by urging Bidzina Ivanishvili to allow former President Mikheil Saakashvili back into politics. By advocating for Saakashvili's return, Girchi might be seeking to demonstrate a commitment to democratic principles, such as freedom of political expression and the involvement of all political actors, regardless of their past roles. The statement has sparked a widespread discussion about political freedoms and the role of former leaders in the nation's democratic journey.
A controversial icon of teh Saint Holy Matrona in Tbilisi's Sameba Cathedral was defaced with paint on Wednesday the 10th. You might wonder what is controversial about a saint icon in a church… Well, the icon did not only depict the Holy Matrona, but also Joseph Stalin. The Patriarchate's response to this incident is currently unknown. This act adds to the growing scandal in Georgia.
The presence of a Stalin icon in a significant religious venue raised questions about the complex historical legacy of Stalin in Georgia, symbolizing different things to different groups - a national hero to some, and a tyrannical dictator to others. It triggered discussions on the intersection of religious beliefs and historical figures, highlighting the country's ongoing struggle with its past,
On Thursday the 11th, The Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC) issued a statement urging the patrons of the St. Matrona icon to make necessary alterations due to the controversy involving the depiction of Joseph Stalin. The GOC emphasized that if the patrons fail to act, the Patriarchate will undertake the modifications themselves. Acknowledging the political tensions and confrontations sparked by the icon, the Church clarified that while iconography can depict real-life events associated with saints, this does not equate to glorifying the individuals involved. The GOC noted that the portrayal of Stalin's meeting with St. Matrona, not recognized in canonical texts, requires revision to align with traditional iconographic standards.
On Thursday the 11th Tbilisi's commitment to transparency and good governance took a significant step forward as Mayor Kakha Kaladze met with Razhden Kuprashvili, the head of the Anti-corruption Bureau. The meeting focused on Tbilisi’s budget for twenty twenty four, the progress of ongoing city projects, and the future activities and plans of the Anti-corruption Bureau. Emphasizing the city government's dedication to rooting out corruption, Mayor Kaladze highlighted the critical nature of this issue as a top priority. The meeting was a platform for discussing and formulating strategies to prevent corruption in public institutions, underscoring the importance of cooperation between different branches of the government.
On Monday the 8th, a startling incident rocked Tbilisi as an assailant attacked a TBC Bank branch office. The following day, the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia detained an individual suspected of committing the crime and filed charges against him. By Wednesday, the suspect in custody admitted their guilt.
On Monday the 8th, the government announced a housing initiative, committing to provide dwellings for 1,000 families living in harsh conditions. This move, discussed in a session led by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, is part of a broader effort to improve living standards and address housing challenges in the regions. The targeted state program aims to support socially vulnerable, homeless families with many children by ensuring decent living conditions for them. To be eligible, families must have three or more minor children and be registered in the unified database of socially vulnerable families of the social service agency. A commission will evaluate the criteria for housing these families. With a total budget of GEL 50 million, the program will continue until the end of twenty twenty five, facilitating resettlement in any administrative-territorial unit of Georgia.
On Tuesday the 9th, ten Georgian civil society organizations (or CSOs) expressed concerns about the government's EU action plan, published on Monday the 25th of December. They criticized the lack of involvement from watchdogs, opposition, and Parliament, highlighting the plan's broad nature and misalignment with specific European Commission recommendations. The CSOs urged for a participative and transparent approach to meet the EU's criteria effectively.
On Thursday the 4th, According to a report by Galt & Taggart, Georgia will have a positive economic outlook in twenty twenty four, because of its EU candidate status. This development is expected to catalyze significant foreign investment inflows, as well as foster closer economic ties with EU member states. Enhanced trade relations and overall economic growth are anticipated. Additionally, Georgia stands to benefit from various EU grants, further bolstering its economic prospects.
On Tuesday the 9th, Geostat reported a significant milestone in the country revealing a 7% growth in the nation's economy in the first eleven months of twenty twenty three.
On Monday the 8th, with the resumption of schools in Georgia, health authorities issued an alert anticipating a rise in respiratory diseases. Medical experts are advocating for increased vaccinations as a key preventive measure. This health alert aims to proactively manage the risks associated with seasonal changes and heightened social interaction in educational settings.
To end this episode on a lighter note, on Wednesday the 3rd, Tbilisi was in Forbes’ top 10 best places in Europe to celebrate New Year's Eve. Tbilisi's inclusion in this list is expected to significantly boost the city's tourism appeal.
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Nakhvamdis!