Georgia Faces Economic Headwinds, Political Scrutiny, and Geopolitical Crossroads
Today's news in Georgia was largely shaped by economic concerns and ongoing political debates. In Tbilisi, residential apartment prices saw a year-on-year increase of 3.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to national statistics, with a rise also noted compared to the previous quarter. Adding to economic anxieties, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze expressed concern over alleged cartel agreements among Georgian producers, citing a 25% price hike on a specific product, and vowed investigations into such practices to alleviate the burden on the public. Discussions also highlighted Georgia's economic positioning, with some analysts suggesting the country is losing its competitive edge in the evolving Middle Corridor transit route.
Politically, the Georgian government faced renewed criticism. The Helsinki Commission was set to hold a briefing on the deteriorating human rights situation in Georgia, citing the suppression of dissent by the "Georgian Dream" party. This sentiment was echoed by Human Rights Watch, which accused Georgian authorities of using newly adopted restrictive measures to arbitrarily detain peaceful demonstrators, thereby stifling freedom of expression. Former President Mikheil Saakashvili also commented on the country's geopolitical trajectory, stating that Georgia is in a dire geopolitical dead end.
On the international front, the conflict in Ukraine and related diplomatic efforts remained prominent. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Lithuania, emphasizing that Ukraine's security is Europe's security, and later reported on constructive peace talks held in Abu Dhabi involving the US, Ukraine, and Russia. Meanwhile, Russia implemented new temporary entry rules for citizens of China, allowing visa-free stays of up to 30 days until September 14, 2026, simplifying travel conditions for tourists.
In other domestic news, law enforcement made a significant bust at Kutaisi International Airport, arresting two individuals for the illegal purchase, storage, and import of a particularly large quantity of psychotropic substances. Separately, Batumi Municipality announced the start of construction for an animal shelter complex in the Chakvi settlement, a project valued at approximately 9 million GEL.
Sports news brought mixed results and individual achievements. The Georgian Futsal team secured a 2-2 draw against Croatia in the European Championship, keeping their chances for advancing alive, with goalkeeper Ali Aslan notably making 33 saves. In basketball, Sandro Mamukelashvili continued his strong performance in the NBA, contributing significantly to the Toronto Raptors' victories with multiple top performances, including being named MVP in one game.