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Makhare Atchaidze photo
Makhare Atchaidze
3 Posts
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Makhare is a Researcher at CRRC Georgia.
Demonstrations against rising fuel prices in Tbilisi on 27 March. Shota Kincha/OC Media.
Analysis

Datablog | Inflation and a Georgian’s choice of fuel

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A global pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have both contributed to skyrocketing rates of inflation worldwide. Georgia is no exception, as people reevaluated their preferences for fuel throughout the past two years. In August 2022, Georgia’s inflation rate stood at 10.9%, with the price of petrol rising by 18% and the price of diesel by 45% compared with those of August 2021 — this is due in large part to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In response to rising fuel prices, Georgian drive

Datablog | Is it ok to cancel debts ahead of elections?
Analysis

Datablog | Is it ok to cancel debts ahead of elections?

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In the run up to several recent elections, the government, or those close to it, have announced amnesties on people’s debts or fines. But what do people think of the practice? In the lead up to the second round of the 2018 presidential elections, a charitable foundation set up by the founder of Georgian Dream announced a debt amnesty for people with loans of ₾2,000 or less. Around one-sixth of the population benefited from the programme. Similarly, in 2021, the government announced they would

Datablog | What issues do Georgians think about when voting?
2021 Georgian Local Elections

Datablog | What issues do Georgians think about when voting?

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While voters in Georgia tend to look to personalities rather than policies in determining who they will vote for, policies also matter to a large number of people. But what issues are most important to voters? On 2 October 2021, 1.8 million voters participated in Georgia’s local elections. In Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze won the most votes in the first round, but failed to pass the 50% + 1 threshold for winning outright in the first round. This resulted in runoff elections in a number of Georgian ci