**Georgia in the Spotlight: A Month of Tensions and Controversies**
Last week, Georgia was at the center of various international events that highlighted the country’s complex relationships with both European leaders and its own citizens. On May 16, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze attended a summit for the European Political Community (EPC) in Tirana, Albania, where he met several European leaders, including Aleksandar Vučić of Serbia, Robert Fico of Slovakia, and Viktor Orbán of Hungary.
This was Kobakhidze’s first appearance alongside European leaders since the highly disputed October 2024 general elections, which were followed by widespread protests against the ruling Georgian Dream party’s decision to halt Georgia’s EU accession process. The move has been seen as a significant step back for Georgia’s integration into Europe and has strained relations with Western allies.
**The Georgian Orthodox Church Takes Center Stage**
On May 17, the Georgian Orthodox Church marked the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents with marches across the country, including a major procession in Tbilisi. Interestingly, the ruling Georgian Dream party was reportedly involved in organizing these events, mobilizing teachers and public servants to participate.
In a statement, officials from the party and clergy highlighted the global struggle against “traditional values” and the need to defend Georgian traditions against foreign influence. This move has been seen as an attempt by the ruling party to distract from its own controversies and shift attention towards more conservative social issues.
**UN Official Speaks Out Against Ruling Party’s Actions**
Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization, revealed on May 15 that the ruling Georgian Dream party abruptly withdrew its support for his reelection bid after he hired Tea Maisuradze, Georgia’s recently resigned Ambassador to the Czech Republic, to work on his election campaign. Pololikashvili described the reaction within the party as “hysteria” over Maisuradze’s involvement.
**Russia Simplifies Citizenship Process for Occupied Regions**
In a move that has raised concerns among Western allies, Vladimir Putin issued a decree simplifying the procedure for granting Russian citizenship to residents of the occupied Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia. Under the new rules, applicants from these regions will no longer need to meet standard requirements such as permanent residence in Russia or familiarity with Russian history.
**International Community Condemns Georgian Dream’s Authoritarian Shift**
The International Democracy Union (IDU) passed a resolution on May 16 condemning the Georgian Dream government’s authoritarian shift and increasing alignment with Russia. The resolution calls for international sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling party, and his associates.
It also urges the government to set a date for free and fair parliamentary elections. Eleven civil society organizations released a report detailing severe human rights violations in Georgia after the disputed 2024 parliamentary elections, which they attribute to the ruling party’s actions.
**Journalist Trial Sparks International Concerns**
Lena Schilling, a member of the European Parliament from Austria, visited Georgia to attend the trial of journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, the director of Batumelebi/Netgazeti. She sharply criticized the proceedings, labeling them as “political persecution,” and stated that the trial is a crucial test for Georgia’s European future.
Amaghlobeli was arrested on January 12 for slapping Irakli Dgebuadze, the head of the Batumi Police Division, and is charged with assaulting law enforcement officers. The trial has sparked international concerns about freedom of speech and the rule of law in Georgia.
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