European Georgia

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Nika Gvaramia, Elene Khoshtaria, Zurab Japaridze, and Nika Melia. Composite image: Tamar Shvelidze/OC Media.

2024 Georgian Parliamentary Elections

Three Georgian opposition parties unite ahead of election

by OC Media

•3 min read

Three Georgian opposition parties — Ahali, Droa, and Girchi — More Freedom, have announced that they will run a joint list for October’s parliamentary elections. The party’s leaders made the announcement at a briefing on Tuesday, adding that they would campaign together. The new grouping will be listed in the 26 October parliamentary elections under the number 4. Gvaramia set out three principles behind the grouping: Georgia’s membership of Western society, non-cooperation with the ‘regime’

Georgian artists played on the background of a stylised image of the 21-year-old Lazare Grigoriadis. Photo: Shota Kincha/OC Media.

European Georgia

Concert in Tbilisi in support of imprisoned foreign agent protester

by Shota Kincha

•4 min read

A concert has been held outside the Georgian Parliament in support of Lazare Grigoriadis, the first and so far only protester against the aborted foreign agent law to be criminally prosecuted. Saturday evening’s concert, which was organised by the European Georgia party and several affiliated groups, saw several hundred people gather outside parliament. It included performances from well-known local acts, including pop singer Stephane Mgebrishvili and rock groups Dagdagani and the Loudspeakers

The Home to Europe demonstration in 20 June 2022. Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

Analysis

Datablog | Who’s to blame for Georgia’s EU candidacy debacle?

by David Sichinava

•7 min read

As Georgian officials ramp up their anti-Western rhetoric, recent CRRC Georgia data suggests that most Georgians are uncertain who to blame for the country’s failed European Union membership bid. On 17 June 2022, the European Commission decided not to grant Georgia EU candidate status, unlike Ukraine and Moldova. In its memo, the Commission recognised the country’s ‘European perspective’, while pointing at an extensive list of issues it needs to address before its candidacy bid is re-examined.

Clockwise from top left: Zurab Japaridze (Girchi), Shalva Natelashvili (Labour), Giorgi Vashadze (Strategy Aghmashenebeli), Levan Khabeishvili (UNM), Nika Melia (UNM), Elene Khoshtaria (European Georgia), Shalva Shavgulidze (Free Democrats), Irakli Okruashvili (Victorious Georgia). Official pictures.

2020 Georgian Parliamentary Elections

Georgian opposition groups finalise electoral pact for Tbilisi candidates

by OC Media

•4 min read

A group of Georgian opposition parties has announced a joint list of majoritarian candidates to compete in the electoral districts of Tbilisi in October’s parliamentary elections. While candidates will formally represent their own parties, the parties that have signed up have agreed not to field candidates opposing each other in a bid to mobilise voters against the ruling Georgian Dream party. Shalva Natelashvili, Labour Party leader and the group’s majoritarian candidate in Tbilisi’s Nadzal

The Parliament of Georgia. Photo: Shota Kincha/OC Media.

European Georgia

Georgia transforms electoral system ahead of October parliamentary elections

by OC Media

•3 min read

Georgian lawmakers have voted in favour of constitutional amendments to change the country’s electoral system to a more proportional one. In the amendments’ third and final reading on Monday, MPs voted 117 to three in favour of the reforms, just two more than the 115 votes needed. The bill was supported by the ruling Georgian Dream Party, the opposition Alliance of Patriots, and dozens of independent MPs who have left Georgian Dream since the 2016 elections with various grievances. Two op

Opposition meeting on 13 May 2020. Photo: Tabula

2020 Georgian Parliamentary Elections

Dispute over ‘political prisoners’ put Georgia’s electoral reforms in doubt

by OC Media

•3 min read

As anti-coronavirus measures in Georgia ease, a dispute over the release of opposition politicians and activists threatens to undermine a deal to reform the electoral system before October’s elections. Parliamentary opposition parties European Georgia and the United National Movement (UNM) have warned that they will not vote in favour of the reforms unless three imprisoned opposition figures are released. In a statement on 13 May, a board opposition coalition including European Georgia and U

Gigi Ugulava at an anti-government protest on 25 November 2019. Photo: Tamuna Chkareuli/OC Media.

Bidzina Ivanishvili

Georgian opposition leader Gigi Ugulava sentenced to 3 years for embezzlement

by OC Media

•3 min read

Opposition leader and former Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava has been found guilty of embezzling ₾48 million ($17 million) and sentenced to three years and two months in prison. Georgia’s Supreme Court announced the decision on Monday without a court hearing, overturning a previous ruling by the appeals court. Ugulava attended a police station soon after along with supporters and other opposition politicians. ‘Our fight continues until we get rid of this black plague. We must destroy this sys