Georgia Observes Orthodox Christmas Amidst Geopolitical Tensions and Domestic Developments
Today, January 07, 2026, Georgia, alongside the wider Orthodox Christian world, celebrated Christmas Day. Traditional "Alilo" processions were held in Tbilisi and Poti, marking the festive occasion. The Georgian Patriarch, Ilia II, delivered his annual Christmas epistle, while Archbishop Zenon Yarajuli emphasized the importance of compassion over indifference to oppression.
Internationally, a significant development unfolded as the United States seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker, the Marinera, reportedly linked to Venezuela. The White House indicated that the tanker's crew might be brought to the US for trial, prompting Russia to demand humane treatment and swift repatriation for its citizens on board. Former US President Donald Trump made statements regarding Venezuela and reiterated his support for NATO, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the US to conduct an operation against Ramzan Kadyrov, drawing a parallel with Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro.
Domestically, the day was marked by reports of several violent incidents. Authorities announced an arrest in connection with a murder in Marneuli, while two individuals were detained and three identified following a fatal altercation in Gardabani. A Ukrainian citizen was also arrested in Tbilisi for a stabbing incident. These events occurred against a backdrop of ongoing political rhetoric, with Parliamentary Speaker Shalva Papuashvili referring to an imprisoned figure as a "Georgian Maduro" and criticizing what he called "Molotov cocktail" symbolism as faux pro-Europeanism. A protest was also reported near Parliament.
In economic news, the National Bank of Georgia stated that inflation had begun to normalize, with the annual rate standing at 4.0% in December 2025. Data from January-November 2025 showed a 34% decrease in the export of locally produced ferroalloys year-on-year. Tbilisi continued to see an annual increase in average apartment rental prices. On the infrastructure front, an international tender worth 490 million GEL was announced for the construction of the new Tsitsamuri-Avchala bypass tunnel, a major project to ease traffic around Tbilisi. However, concerns were raised regarding the preparedness and condition of the Gudauri ski resort, with a travel agency founder describing the situation as "catastrophic" due to snow and mud hindering visitor access.