News

    02/07/2022 - 14:19

    26 Arrested as Far-right Takes Aim at Gay Festival

    Police have arrested 26 far-right hardliners, including several Kremlin-friendly Alt-Info group leaders, late on July 1, as they mobilized against Tbilisi Pride’s upcoming queer music festival. The Ministry of Interior said arrests were made under the Code of Administrative Offenses, involving disorderly conduct and non-compliance with lawful police orders (Articles…
    02/07/2022 - 13:21

    U.S. Ambassador Concerned Over Violence Reports

    U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan expressed her concerns and disappointment about reports of violence on opposition politicians and civic activists campaigning in the lead-up to the pro-EU, anti-government protest slated for July 3. In her remarks to reporters yesterday, Ambassador Degnan stressed, “we’re seeing violence being brought in to…
    01/07/2022 - 20:41

    Georgian Dream Unveils Plan to Meet EU Recommendations

    On July 1, the ruling Georgian Dream party chairperson Irakli Kobakhidze unveiled a plan to meet 12 recommendations put forth by the European Commission for Georgia to receive EU candidate status. The announcement was made after the meeting of the political council at the party HQ in old Tbilisi, attended…
    01/07/2022 - 13:50

    Russo-Abkhaz Economic Commission Meets in Sokhumi

    Russian officials from various ministries and agencies, led by Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dmitry Volvach are visiting Abkhazia to discuss economic cooperation. An agreement on 2022-2025 plan for Abkhazia’s economic development has been reached, Apsnypress reported. The Russian Deputy Minister had met with the Abkhaz “prime minister” Alexander Ankvab…
    01/07/2022 - 13:46

    MPs Scuffle with TV Boss at U.S. Embassy Event

    Vato Tsereteli, founder of TV Pirveli, a channel with an editorial line stridently critical to the government, said he was violently assaulted yesterday by several Georgian Dream MPs when attending the American Independence Day celebrations at the U.S. Embassy in Georgia. Tsereteli named Anri Okhanashvili, Chair of the Legal Committee…
    01/07/2022 - 13:46

    Georgia’s GDP Up 11.6% in May 2022

    Georgia’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 11.6% year-over-year in May 2022, according to rapid estimates released by the National Statistics Office (Geostat) on June 30. Geostat said growth was registered in transportation and storage; electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply; hotels and restaurants; manufacturing; construction; mining, and quarrying. No…
    01/07/2022 - 12:53

    Ambassador to France Quits, Citing Pressure

    Georgia’s Ambassador to France, Tea Katukia, stepped down from her position citing “constant pressure” by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Ministry says the accusation is “slanderous” and says Ambassador was relieved of her duties due to unsatisfactory performance. Katukia was nominated in 2019. She had not been a…
    01/07/2022 - 12:53

    Georgian MFA Hails NATO Summit Decisions

    The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the decisions concerning Georgia that were made at the June 28-30 NATO Madrid Summit, saying they “contribute to improving Georgia’s security and defense capabilities and will bring the country closer to its ultimate goal – NATO Membership.” Statement of the Ministry says the…
    30/06/2022 - 23:56

    Opposition, Activists Accuse GD of Attacks During Protest Campaign

    Opposition United National Movement (UNM) and Lelo party leaders, as well as civic activists have accused the ruling Georgian Dream of organizing verbal and physical attacks against their campaign meetings across the country in the lead up to pro-EU, anti-government demonstration on July 3. Verbal and physical attacks and attempts…
    30/06/2022 - 17:37

    ICC Issues 3 Arrest Warrants for 2008 War Crimes

    The Hague-Based International Criminal Court officially issued arrest warrants today for three de facto South Ossetian officials believed to bear responsibility for war crimes committed during the 2008 August War in Georgia. These officials are Lt.-Gen. Mikhail Mindzaev, de facto interior minister in 2005-2008; Hamlet Guchmazov, Head of the Preliminary Detention facility…

    Opinion

      01/07/2022 - 19:48

      Interview | Damon Wilson, President of the National Endowment for Democracy

      In Tbilisi today, Civil Georgia’s Editor-in-Chief Otar Kobakhidze sat down with Damon Wilson, the President, and CEO of the National Endowment for Democracy to discuss Georgia’s EU and NATO integration, the role of civil society and independent media for the Georgian democracy, as well as…
      16/05/2022 - 15:56

      Interview | Head of EUMM Georgia Talks Abkhazia, S. Ossetia

      Ambassador Szczygieł, we are speaking today as Russia continues its full-scale attack on Ukraine for more than two months, which has brought seismic shifts to the entire region. In light of this war, what is the security environment on the ground across both Abkhazia and…
      13/05/2022 - 15:38

      Editorial | Pawning the Country

      The rapidity and zeal with which the Georgian Dream leaders and pundits rushed to the defense of their patron, Bidzina Ivanishvili’s private assets and riches, show that Georgia is not that much Ivanishvili’s political project, but his collateral in the international game – both an…
      03/03/2022 - 11:13

      ‘Fear & Apathy’: Pundits on Georgian Govt’s Steps amid Ukraine War

      The Georgian Dream government has attracted widespread criticism for what many — both at home and abroad — regarded as their half-hearted stance during Russian aggression against Ukraine. Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s clear-cut rejection of joining international sanctions against Russia and alleged obstruction of a…
      02/02/2022 - 19:15

      Waiting for Resettlement – IDPs from Georgia and Azerbaijan

      More than thirty years have passed since the armed conflicts swept the South Caucasus. Amid the dramatic breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, dozens of ethno-political conflicts emerged in the former Soviet states. The nations living in the South Caucasus — once seen as…
      14/01/2022 - 18:04

      U.S.-Russia Talks: What Are Georgia’s Options?

      As the United States engages the Russian Federation concerning the Kremlin’s ultimatum aiming to change the configuration of European security, Georgia is among the countries whose fate is being decided. The process is likely to be drawn out, with the possibility of escalations that may…
      04/10/2021 - 20:25

      Pundits Talk Key Takeaways from Local Elections

      Two days after October 2 municipal elections, discussions continue over key takeaways from the vote and the less anticipated outcomes. The Georgian Dream party scored well above 43%, a number widely suggested as a threshold for its legitimacy after the EU-brokered April 19 deal, while…
      12/07/2021 - 15:58

      Georgia Lurches Towards Illiberalism

      “The times when the minority decided the fate of the majority are gone,” said Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili today, saying he will only listen to the will of “95% of the population.“ “Stop threatening and scaring me and the majority of this country with the…
      05/07/2021 - 10:35

      Ministers Reflect | Ketevan Bochorishvili (MESD 2012-2017)

      Ministers Reflect is a new interview series on “how to be effective in government”, following a model developed by the Institute for Government in London. The series seeks to capture – in former ministers’ own words – what it takes to be an effective government…
      22/04/2021 - 14:11

      Q&A | The Deal is Signed: What now?

      After months of the deepening political crisis that followed the October 31 parliamentary elections, the ruling Georgian Dream and part of the boycotting opposition MPs signed the EU-mediated compromise on April 19. Yet, controversies persist: the United National Movement, the opposition party that got most…
      18/04/2021 - 12:17

      Opposition Politicians on Namakhvani HPP Protests

      Thousands have been protesting in western Georgia against the construction of the Namakhvani Hydropower Plant on the Rioni River for months now. The project encompasses two separate HPPs of 333 MW and 100 MW on the Rioni River. The Government of Georgia hopes to enhance…
      16/04/2021 - 22:25

      Interview | On the Soviet Past, Myths and Relevance

      The centennial anniversary of the Soviet occupation induced discussion in Georgia about the Soviet past, distinctly demonstrating that the opinions about the Soviet Union still differ in the society. As some experts argue, the Soviet Georgia is a largely understudied topic that requires a deeper…

      Analysis

      The Dispatch

      • The Dispatch
        28/06/2022 - 10:59
        97

        Dispatch | June 26-28: Maneuvering

        After stormy days replete with rallies, the latest days have seen a period of lull – albeit one pregnant with anticipation. Will the civic opposition manage to create a momentum for the transitional government they…

      • The Dispatch
        24/06/2022 - 12:15
        100

        Dispatch | June 23-23: Lost (or found?)

        Georgians live in alternate realities. If you listen to the government media mouthpieces and hear the officials, yesterday was a day of triumph, when Georgia’s “European perspective” was recognized. If you are a part of…

      • The Dispatch
        21/06/2022 - 10:58
        95

        Dispatch | June 18-21: Anger Management

        It was clear that some Georgians were very angry seeing their chance of the EU candidacy slipping away, as the Commission singled the country out to stay in detention after classes, while giving Ukraine and…

      Op-ed

        17/06/2022 - 11:53

        Opinion | Georgia’s Yanukovich Moment

        Author: Ted Jonas is an international lawyer and environmental activist who has lived in Georgia for many years. Georgia is having a Yanukovich moment. That time when the government of Ukraine in 2013-2014 got orders from Moscow to drop the EU association process. The government…
        26/05/2022 - 10:59

        EU Should Not Heed the Calls to Differentiate Associated Trio’s Applications

        Irakli Sirbiladze is a Foreign Affairs analyst, holding an MA degree in International Relations from Queen Mary University of London. His wider research interests include International Relations Theory, Georgian Foreign Policy and Russian Foreign Policy. As Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova – three Associated Trio nations…
        22/05/2022 - 14:09

        Op-ed | Refeudalization rather than Polarization

        Hans Gutbrod is a long-time analyst of Georgia and the Caucasus. He holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from the London School of Economics. He is on Twitter at @HansGutbrod. With the jailing of Nika Gvaramia, we should bury once and for all the term…
        28/03/2022 - 17:47

        Putin’s Playbook in Ukraine Is a Century Old

        Largely ignored in the discussion of Russia’s strategy in its war on Ukraine is the story of what may have been the first successful conquest of a foreign country by the Soviet Union.  Vladimir Putin, who is obsessed with history, is certainly familiar with this…
        18/02/2022 - 19:24

        Where Abkhaz Students (Can’t) Study?

        Author: Giorgi Kanashvili, peace and conflict specialist I have been part of Georgian-Abkhaz dialogue for fifteen years now. One of the topics the Abkhaz constantly raise is about Tbilisi isolating Abkhazia from the West, and pushing them to look for alternatives. In this region, one…
        02/02/2022 - 20:05

        Op-Ed | Local Governance Reform Can Strengthen Georgian Democracy from the Ground Up

        By Peter Wiebler, USAID/Georgia Mission Director Last year’s local elections were held under difficult circumstances, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic and a tense environment before and during election day. Despite these factors, voter turnout was 52%, significantly higher than in the previous local elections. This…
        30/11/2021 - 18:03

        Farewell | 4 Years of Representing NATO in Georgia

        Author: Rosaria Puglisi, the Head of the NATO Liaison Office in Georgia It’s time to pack my bags and say my good-byes. After four memorable years, my term as the Head of the NATO Liaison Office (NLO) in Georgia is coming to an end. During…
        21/11/2021 - 10:00

        Op-Ed | Georgian Dream Deliberately Frustrates Western Friends

        By Jelger Groeneveld, Dutch D66 party, Board Member International Cooperation Division Friday would have marked the 50th day of Mikheil Saakashvili’s hunger strike in state captivity, amidst mounting concerns of his health condition and refusal of government authorities to transfer the former president to a…
        01/09/2021 - 16:09

        Perilous Choice: Georgia’s COVID Elections

        Laura Thornton is director and senior fellow at the Alliance for Securing Democracy at the German Marshall Fund. Previously, she was director of global programs at International IDEA, a Stockholm-based intergovernmental think-tank with the mission to advance democracy. She has also led the National Democratic…
        25/07/2021 - 21:40

        Tribune |”Sack me if you can!”

        Zaal Andronikashvili, Ilia State University/Leibniz Center for Literary and Cultural Research. This article first appeared (in Georgian) on the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Georgian service page. It has been insignificantly adapted by Civil.ge for an English-language audience. “Sack me, if you can!” gloated Vice Premier…
        24/07/2021 - 12:24

        Tribune | Wide Coalition Needed to Defend Democracy

        Levan Tsutskiridze is Executive Director of the Eastern European Center for Multi-party Democracy (EECMD) Georgia has witnessed unbelievable violence during the first week of July. The homophobic mob, egged on by the religious extremists that are entrenched in the Georgian Orthodox Patriarchy and encouraged by…
        19/07/2021 - 01:34

        The Falling Darkness

        by Regis Gente As the airplane of the European Council President Charles Michel touched down in Batumi, it was hard to shake off the feeling of déjà vu. Once again, the top European official visits Georgia immersed in a tense, almost intractable political crisis. Charles…

        Archives

          31/12/2020 - 21:02

          2020 in Georgia: Year in Review

          To say that 2020 was an eventful year is an understatement. Like every other nation on the planet, Georgia has…
          31/12/2021 - 14:21

          2021 in Georgia: Year in Review

          In Georgia, 2021 was a tumultuous year of continued and new crises, but also a year of attempted solutions, many…
          31/12/2019 - 15:12

          2019: The Year in Review

          2019 has been a year of political and security tribulations. No tangible progress has been reached on occupied territories as…

          Photo Stories

            21/06/2022 - 13:23

            In Photos | Massive Pro-EU Rally in Tbilisi

            On June 20, tens of thousands of Georgians have rallied on Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi’s main thoroughfare, to support Georgia’s accession…
            26/05/2022 - 16:45

            In Photos: Independence Day Celebration in Tbilisi

            Thousands of Georgians have flocked to Freedom Square and adjacent Rustaveli Avenue in downtown Tbilisi for Independence Day celebrations, to…
            24/05/2022 - 23:57

            In Photos: Georgians Supporting Ukraine

            Three months into Russia’s bloody war in Ukraine, ordinary Georgians all across the country continue hanging Ukrainian flags and colors…
            24/03/2022 - 11:14

            In Photos | Georgians Attend Grim Homecoming for Fighters Killed in Ukraine

            Dozens have waved Georgian and Ukrainian national flags and lit candles as flag-draped cases carrying remains of Gia Beriashvili and…
            02/03/2022 - 04:17

            In Photos: Sixth Day of Tbilisi For Ukraine

            Tbilisites hit the streets again on March 1 to support Ukraine, with many protesters also expressing dismay about the Georgian…
            27/02/2022 - 03:15

            In Photos: Third Day of Tbilisi for Ukraine

            On February 26, Tbilisites hit the streets to express solidarity to Ukraine as Ukrainian troops are fighting Russian advance on…
            26/02/2022 - 04:06

            In Photos: Thousands Rally for Ukraine, Against Garibashvili in Tbilisi

            On February 25, thousands have hit the streets in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia for the second day to show…
            25/02/2022 - 01:34

            In Photos: Georgians March for Ukraine

            Thousands have gathered in central Tbilisi in show of solidarity to Ukraine that came under full-scale Russian invasion earlier on…
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