**New Leadership for Georgia’s Ruling Party**
In a significant development, Irakli Kobakhidze has been named the new chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party. This comes after his predecessor, Irakli Garibashvili, announced his departure from politics on April 25. As the new leader, Kobakhidze has outlined the updated composition of the party’s political council. This shift in leadership is likely to have significant implications for Georgia’s domestic and international relations.
**Bomb Threats Rock Tbilisi**
On May 6, the U.S. Embassy in Georgia issued a security alert regarding bomb threats targeting three shopping malls in Tbilisi: East Point Shopping Mall, Galleria Tbilisi, and Tbilisi Shopping Area. The embassy advised its staff to avoid these locations until further notice. However, the Georgian State Security Service quickly responded on social media, stating that they were “working on another false report” and taking urgent measures to address the alleged threats. This swift response suggests a high level of preparedness by Georgia’s security agencies.
**Gas Imports: A Shift in Market Dynamics**
For the first time in 18 years, Georgia has paid more for natural gas imports from Russia than from Azerbaijan during the first quarter of 2025. According to data from Geostat, the country spent $100.6 million on Russian gas and $82.4 million on Azerbaijani gas. This shift in market dynamics is a significant development, reflecting changes in global energy markets and geopolitics.
**Leadership Changes at Georgian Railway**
In another move, the supervisory board of Georgian Railway has appointed Lasha Abashidze as its new chief executive officer. Abashidze previously held roles such as vice mayor of Tbilisi and chief of staff for former President Giorgi Margvelashvili.
**Monetary Policy Committee Maintains Key Rate**
On May 7, the Monetary Policy Committee of the National Bank of Georgia decided to keep the key refinancing rate unchanged at 8.0%. This decision reflects the committee’s confidence in maintaining price stability and the country’s robust economic growth. With annual inflation standing at 3.4% and core inflation at 2.3%, the NBG is optimistic about Georgia’s economy, citing real GDP growth of 9.3% in the first quarter of 2025.
**What Lies Ahead?**
These developments signal significant changes on the horizon for Georgia. The new leadership at Georgian Dream will likely shape the country’s domestic and international agenda, while the shift in gas imports reflects broader market dynamics. As the economy continues to grow and prices remain stable, Georgia is poised for continued robust economic performance.
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