Political Tensions Mount Over Party Bans and EU Scrutiny, as Infrastructure Projects Progress Across Georgia
2025年10月29日
Today, Georgia's political landscape was dominated by intense debate surrounding the potential banning of political parties. European officials, including German Euro-parliamentarians and PACE co-rapporteurs, voiced significant concern, warning that such actions would distance Georgia from its EU path and could lead to a one-party dictatorship. President Salome Zurabishvili expressed solidarity with Archimandrite Dorote Kurashvili, stating that those who hide behind the Patriarch's name to justify their decisions would not escape responsibility. Meanwhile, Maka Bochorishvili asserted that Brussels was utilizing Euro-integration issues for political ends, while reaffirming Georgia's commitment to conscientiously preventing the country from being used for sanctions circumvention, a point of contention following claims by FPC that Georgia serves as a hub for bypassing Russian sanctions.
In related social and judicial news, Archimandrite Dorote Kurashvili was removed from his abbot position at the Church of the Nativity by Patriarch Ilia II and reassigned to the Sameba Cathedral. Kurashvili interpreted this decision as a politically motivated punishment by Bidzina Ivanishvili and Russia. Additionally, teacher and activist Nino Datashvil, accused of assaulting a public servant, was released on GEL 5,000 bail, with her lawyer reporting her health to be critically severe. Separately, David Tabidze, former executive director of the Municipal Development Fund, was released on GEL 300,000 bail in connection with a kindergarten tenders case.
Significant progress and challenges in national infrastructure were highlighted by Minister of Infrastructure Revaz Sokhadze. He announced plans for a 75-kilometer four-lane highway connecting Samtredia and Zugdidi, and a potential six-lane expansion for the highway leading to Gori. The Minister also updated on the Kvesheti-Kobi road construction, featuring a unique 166-meter arch bridge, with the Gudauri section slated for opening in the first half of 2026. Construction of a 17-kilometer access road to the Anaklia Port is also set to commence in 2026. Despite these advancements, Sokhadze noted that 161 out of 214 ongoing projects were problematic, with a cumulative value exceeding GEL 1 billion, citing issues with execution pace, delays, and quality. A lawyer criticized the proposed ban on un-modified asphalt from 2026 as a "spontaneous decision" potentially leading to monopolization.
Economically, the day saw a notable decrease in gold prices, with a decline of approximately GEL 30 per gram in Georgia after several months of appreciation. The Georgian energy sector marked a milestone with three new solar power plants entering testing mode during the third quarter of 2025. Agricultural news included the start of the "orange harvest," with expectations for a yield of up to 65,000 tons of citrus. In finance, TBC Leasing secured a 30 million USD investment from BlueOrchard Microfinance Fund to bolster the MSME sector, and TBC also supported the inauguration of the country's largest olive processing plant in Dedoplistskaro. The official exchange rate for the US Dollar was recorded at 2.7154 GEL.
Internationally, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the testing of the nuclear-powered underwater drone "Poseidon." Reports also emerged that a Russian "shadow fleet" tanker bound for India was halted due to U.S. sanctions. In other international news, Lithuania declared its intention to close its border with Belarus for a month following recent incidents involving balloons. On the sports front, Georgian weightlifter Giga Odikadze secured a silver medal at the U20 European Championship, setting a new European record in the snatch category. Furthermore, Monaco's Princess Charlene is scheduled to attend U16 7-a-side rugby matches in Martkopi, highlighting international sporting ties.