Georgia Marks One Year of Pro-European Protests Amidst Diverse National and International Developments
The day's news in Georgia was largely dominated by the one-year anniversary of mass pro-European protests, triggered by a controversial government statement regarding the EU accession process. Demonstrations took place in Tbilisi and Batumi, where protesters reaffirmed their commitment to Georgia's European future. International reactions poured in, with officials from Estonia, Norway, and Lithuania expressing strong support for the Georgian people's aspirations, while criticizing the government's perceived deviation from the democratic path. Conversely, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili defended the government's position, dismissing certain European criticisms as "begging" from Brussels bureaucracy and criticizing Poland's decision to revoke simplified work visas for Georgian citizens, arguing it would harm Poland itself.
In other significant international developments, news emerged from Ukraine regarding searches at President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's administration and the reported resignation of his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak. Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, attracting international scrutiny. The US Dollar officially stood at 2.7029 GEL today, as the Georgian economy continued to navigate global dynamics.
Economically, several reports provided insights into market trends and business activities. Hazelnut exports saw a significant 69% increase in value, reaching $86.2 million in the period from August 1 to November 27, with an average export price of $10.03 per kg. The retail sector saw five major companies controlling 87% of the market, led by "Daily Group" with 33%. Imports of condensed milk also surged by 54%, primarily from Iran and Belarus. Discussions continued regarding a new bill proposing that private security firms no longer protect railways and cargo, transferring this responsibility to the Protection Police Department.
On the sports front, Georgian UFC champion Ilia Topuria announced a temporary break from fighting due to personal issues, though his mixed martial arts promotion, WOW FC, received a high-profile investment from football star Cristiano Ronaldo, who became a co-owner. The Georgian national basketball team suffered a 79-92 defeat against Ukraine in their 2027 World Cup qualifier, which also marked the farewell game for veteran player Giorgi Shermadini. Additionally, the city of Kutaisi is preparing to host its first International Literary Festival.