Winter Weather Disrupts Travel as Georgia Grapples with Political Tensions and Economic Developments
Today, December 13, 2025, Georgia experienced significant weather-related disruptions, impacting both ground and air travel. Heavy snowfall and adverse meteorological conditions led to widespread road closures across several regions. Notably, sections of the Kutaisi(Saghorya)-Baghdati-Abastumani-Benara road, the Tsalki-Ninotsminda highway, and routes in Bakuriani and Sachkhere were restricted for various vehicle types. Strong winds at Batumi International Airport forced the cancellation of all flights to Turkey, including services by Turkish Airlines and Pegasus, leaving other routes unaffected.
The political landscape remained dynamic, marked by ongoing public protests and strong criticism directed at the government. Demonstrations were held in Tbilisi, with a march proceeding from the Philharmonic to Parliament, and a women's rally took place near the EU Embassy. President Salome Zurabishvili voiced sharp disapproval of the government’s policies, commenting on the release of prisoners in Belarus following eased US sanctions and stating that even Belarus appears "more democratic" than Georgia. Opposition parties, including the United National Movement, also challenged recent legislation, filing a lawsuit against a law concerning the banning of political parties.
Georgia's international standing was a point of discussion, with the European Union reportedly tightening border controls but including Georgia on a list of "safe countries" for EU accession candidates. Geopolitically, the US indicated readiness to provide Ukraine with security guarantees similar to NATO's Article 5, pending Congressional approval, and President Donald Trump's representatives are scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for peace talks. Meanwhile, US sanctions on Belarus's potash industry were lifted, leading to the release of 123 prisoners.
Economically, Georgia saw a mix of progress and concerns. The country anticipates the arrival of three new airlines in 2026, boosting connectivity. Major infrastructure projects are advancing, with the Stori HPP (47.6 MW) expected to be completed in 2026 and the Anaklia Deep Sea Port projected to begin operations by 2029. However, concerns were raised by an association warning that Georgia risks losing its car re-export business to neighboring countries. Export data for Georgian persimmons showed a 59% decrease in volume from January to October 2025 compared to the previous year, although export prices rose by 12%, with Russia remaining the primary market.
In other news, Georgia achieved a notable cultural success as its representative secured third place at the Junior Eurovision 2025 competition, which was ultimately won by France. The world of sports highlighted Georgian MMA fighter Giga Chikadze's upcoming UFC fight and his plans to open an MMA academy. Sadly, the day also saw tragic incidents, including a fatal car accident in Senaki where a 22-year-old died, and reports of 28 foreign citizens detained for illegal migration.