Georgian Parliament Faces Protests Amidst Legal Disputes and Economic Adjustments
Today's political landscape in Georgia was marked by protests near the Parliament building in Tbilisi, leading to several arrests, including those of prominent figures Vano Skhirtladze and Mikheil Zakareishvili. These demonstrations are linked to ongoing debates over proposed changes to the electoral code, particularly new definitions of elections, referendums, and plebiscites that explicitly state they must be held within Georgia's state borders. This has fueled concerns, especially regarding the voting rights of Georgian emigrants, with civil society groups and opposition figures, including the Young Lawyers' Association of Georgia, criticizing these restrictions as detrimental to democratic participation. Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze defended the government's actions, citing national security.
Several high-profile legal and financial cases also garnered significant attention. The protracted legal dispute involving Bidzina Ivanishvili and Credit Suisse saw further developments, with Ivanishvili's lawyer stating that the Swiss bank had blocked his family's access to funds following US sanctions. The lawyer expressed pessimism regarding the recovery of these assets. Meanwhile, opposition leader Zurab Japaridze reportedly declined an offer for early conditional release, opting to complete his full sentence. Separately, the Clooney Foundation for Justice voiced concerns over the appeals court's decision to uphold a two-year prison sentence for journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, labeling it "another blow to media freedom."
Economically, Georgia's annual inflation rate for October 2025 was recorded at 5.2%, positioning it moderately among South Caucasus nations. The official exchange rate for the US dollar settled at 2.7067 GEL. In terms of investment, the Public Registry initially cited technical deficiencies in the registration documents for Eagle Hills Georgia, a company associated with a substantial Arab investment project, before subsequently registering the changes. Local authorities also outlined plans for financial adjustments, with the Batumi City Hall proposing a 5.4 million GEL increase in its 2026 budget, including a 6.7 million GEL allocation for salaries. Additionally, rehabilitation work for the historic Jvari Monastery in Mtskheta, estimated at 434,471 GEL, is planned to address international recommendations.
International relations featured prominently, with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky confirming receipt of a US-proposed peace plan, which he intends to discuss with Donald Trump. Amidst the ongoing conflict, Russia's Central Bank reportedly initiated the sale of physical gold reserves for the first time to help finance the state budget. A notable maritime controversy involved the Russian cruise liner Astoria Grande, which, after a contentious visit to Batumi, was reportedly denied entry into the port of Istanbul, reflecting ongoing geopolitical sensitivities. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže indicated support for suspending visa-free travel for certain Georgian officials, expressing dissatisfaction with developments in Georgia.
In sports, the Georgian national football team's failure to qualify for the upcoming World Cup was a key topic, with discussions surrounding the performances of star players like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Giorgi Mamardashvili. However, there were also moments of triumph: Georgian param-fencers achieved success at the World Cup in Thailand, with Gvantsa Zadiashvili winning gold and Nino Tibilashvili silver in a Georgian-dominated final, and Irma Khetsuriani securing a bronze medal. The national basketball team has commenced preparations for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, indicating future athletic aspirations.