Georgia Under International Scrutiny as OSCE Activates 'Moscow Mechanism'; Domestic Tensions Rise Over University Mergers and New 'Draconian' Laws
Today, Georgia faced significant international scrutiny as 24 member states of the OSCE activated the 'Moscow Mechanism,' citing a worsening human rights situation in the country. This move follows an earlier activation of the 'Vienna Mechanism' in December 2024, with participating states noting that their concerns have only grown. Opposition figures, including Irakli Kupradze and Lasha Tughushi, viewed this as a critical international assessment, with some suggesting it represents an 'objective verdict' against the current government and a potential threat to Georgia's democratic trajectory.
Domestically, the government's decision to merge Tbilisi State University (TSU) and the Georgian Technical University (GTU) sparked widespread protests among students and faculty. Critics, such as economist Giorgi Khishtovani and professor Rusudan Tevzadze, decried the merger as politically motivated, arguing it undermines academic autonomy and could lead to the effective 'abolition' of the technical university. Concurrently, the ruling Georgian Dream party introduced controversial legislative amendments that would impose substantial fines (20,000 GEL for a first offense, 40,000 GEL for repeat offenses) on entrepreneurs engaging in political activities unrelated to their business. This proposal drew sharp criticism, with opponents calling it 'draconian' and 'absurd,' with former President Mikheil Saakashvili remarking that even 'the worst dictators' have not conceived such a law, while others suggest it aims to 'suppress dissent' and 'kill the civil sector.'
In anti-corruption efforts, the State Security Service (SSS) announced the arrest of 21 individuals, including doctors and former military registration officials, across seven different cases. The charges primarily involve schemes to issue fraudulent health certificates for pension benefits and to help individuals evade mandatory military service, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat corruption within public services.
Economically, the day saw challenges and new developments. Employees of Rustavi Azot initiated a strike protesting low wages, while Russeloisi, a prominent ferroalloy producer, declared bankruptcy, resulting in 200 job losses. The average selling price of balancing electricity notably increased by 4.1% in 2025. Furthermore, changes in Poland's visa policies have reportedly led to a significant number of Georgian citizens returning home. On a more positive note, Georgian Railways secured an exclusive agreement with BTKI Railways for freight transportation on the Marabda-Kartsakhi line, aiming to boost the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor.
In sports, updates on Georgian athletes made headlines. Footballer Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was confirmed to be out for two weeks due to injury, while Otar Kakabadze underwent successful Achilles surgery, sidelining him for approximately three months. In a pioneering move for Georgian motorsport, the first national team, KOLKHI GRT, was announced to participate in the prestigious NASCAR Euro Series, featuring drivers Data Kajaia and Mariam Davididze. Internationally, former US President Donald Trump claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a one-week ceasefire in Kyiv, a statement that remains unconfirmed by other sources. The European Union also escalated its stance against Iran, expanding sanctions and designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.