Georgia Faces Education Protests and International Scrutiny Amidst Economic Debates
Today, Georgia experienced significant domestic and international developments, centered around educational reforms and the country's adherence to democratic principles. The proposed merger of Tbilisi State University (TSU) and Georgian Technical University (GTU) ignited strong protests from students, lecturers, and opposition figures. Critics, including former President Mikheil Saakashvili, warned of a potential "global catastrophe" for engineering education, while Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze defended the initiative, dismissing opposition claims as "false" and based on "false campaigns."
Internationally, Georgia came under increased scrutiny as the OSCE's "Moscow Mechanism" was activated, with European nations like Germany and the Netherlands expressing concern over democratic backsliding and amendments to the "Grants Law," which critics often label a "Russian law." President Salome Zurabishvili underscored the significance of the mechanism for those resisting the transformation of Georgia into a "Russian-model state." Conversely, Prime Minister Kobakhidze characterized such international initiatives as politically motivated by countries "unfavorably disposed" towards Georgia, while asserting that any foreign funding linked to political activities must be transparent.
Economically, discussions focused on the stability of food and fuel prices. Prime Minister Kobakhidze held meetings with major fuel company representatives to explore price reduction possibilities, noting that Georgia’s fuel prices are already lower than in European countries due to significantly reduced excise taxes. Meanwhile, a business expert cautioned that government-mandated price cuts could lead to the bankruptcy of retail chains, resulting in monopolies and potentially higher prices in the long run. The official exchange rate for the US Dollar stood at 2.6908 GEL. Separately, the energy ombudsman addressed public complaints about increased natural gas bills, clarifying that tariffs had not risen, but rather consumption was higher.
On the local front, the Batumi City Council announced an increase in bus fares to 70 Tetri and continued efforts on various social programs and infrastructure development projects, including street rehabilitation and the commencement of an animal shelter construction. The Kutaisi Municipal Council also convened for its regular session. In sports, the Champions League playoff draw was a key event, and Georgia is set to make its debut in the NASCAR Euro Series with the team KOLKHI GRT, marking a historic moment for Georgian motorsport.