Georgia's Day: Political Pardons, Winter Woes, and Global Geopolitical Stirrings
January 19, 2026, in Georgia was marked by significant domestic political developments and challenging weather conditions, while international events garnered considerable attention.
A major national story was the pardoning of 159 convicts by Mikheil Kavelashvili on the occasion of Epiphany. This decision, announced late in the day, sparked various political discussions, with some sources highlighting broader debates surrounding political prisoners and associated protests. Simultaneously, severe winter weather continued to impact many parts of the country. Heavy snowfall, ice, and blizzards led to widespread road restrictions, particularly in mountainous regions and the capital. Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze confirmed that central streets in the capital had been cleared, with cleanup operations ongoing in inner streets and alleys.
On the international front, former US President Donald Trump's controversial remarks regarding Greenland dominated headlines. Trump suggested Europe should prioritize the Russia-Ukraine conflict over Greenland, and reportedly mentioned being misinformed about a European military mission there. These statements drew swift condemnation from European leaders, including Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who reaffirmed the sovereignty of Greenland and Denmark and emphasized shared transatlantic interests in Arctic security. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, meanwhile, commented that Trump would make history if he resolved the issue of Greenland's annexation.
In other international news, Moldova formally initiated the process of withdrawing from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), signifying a notable shift in its geopolitical alignment. Tragedy struck in Spain, where a train collision resulted in an updated death toll of 39 individuals, leading to a national mourning period and condolences from Georgian officials. Economically, a report by Oxfam International revealed that global billionaire wealth surpassed $18.3 trillion in 2025, advocating for limits on extreme wealth to combat poverty. Domestically, Georgia reported that state property privatization in 2025 exceeded its annual target, generating over 217 million GEL.
Georgian sports also saw notable events, with basketball player Sandro Mamukelashvili delivering a strong performance of 20 points in an NBA game against the Lakers. The Georgian Water Polo team faced a defeat against Romania in the European Championship. Furthermore, a new professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) league, GCL (Georgian Combat League), was launched in Georgia, aiming to discover and develop talent across the country's regions.