**Georgia’s Ruling Party Fights Back Against International Criticism**
In a rare move, Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has written an open letter to US President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, complaining that their offers to restart relations with the United States have been ignored. The letter is laced with frustration and reflects the government’s growing isolation on the international stage.
The letter was prompted by a series of recent developments that have strained Georgia’s relationships with its Western allies. Just last week, the Georgian Parliament passed a set of legislative amendments that critics claim are designed to silence opposition voices and muzzle dissent. The revised laws give the Constitutional Court new powers to ban groups deemed a threat to national security.
**Targeting Foreign Critics?**
One of the key provisions in the amended law has sparked concerns among human rights activists and opposition politicians. The government claims it will target foreigners who take part in anti-regime protests, making it easier to expel them from the country. Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze went as far as to suggest that the changes would specifically target foreign nationals involved in such protests.
The move has been widely condemned by civil society groups and opposition politicians, who see it as an attempt to suppress dissenting voices and silence critics of the ruling party’s policies.
**Pro-Russian Groups Gain Strength**
Meanwhile, pro-Russian groups have been gaining momentum in Georgia. A recent gathering in Tbilisi saw a group of politicians and public figures launch a campaign for restoring diplomatic relations with Russia. The event was chaired by Mamuka Pipia, a Russian businessman and leader of the “Solidarity for Peace” party.
The move has sparked concerns that Georgia is drifting closer to Moscow’s orbit, at a time when the country faces growing international isolation due to its authoritarian tendencies.
**Freedom of Speech Under Threat**
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned an assault on a TV crew during an interview with former governor Giorgi Shinjikashvili. The attack left journalist Mariam Makasarashvili hospitalized with a concussion, highlighting the growing impunity for violence against journalists in Georgia.
The country’s poor showing in the World Press Freedom Index – which dropped 11 spots in 2025 – is a reflection of the worrying trend.
**Shuffle at Local Level**
As tensions rise between the ruling party and its critics, there are signs that the government is facing internal challenges. Mayor Archil Chikovani resigned from his post in Batumi, citing loyalty to the “big Georgian Dream family”. The move comes amid a reshuffle of officials in the autonomous republic.
The developments reflect the complex web of relationships between Georgia’s ruling party and its critics, both at home and abroad. As tensions rise, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to growing criticism from the international community.
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