**Georgian Politics: New Developments and Tensions**
The Georgian Dream party is facing criticism from Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili over the role of the U.S. mission in Georgia, led by retiring Ambassador Dunnigan. Botchorishvili stated that the public should “draw their own conclusions” about how the embassy could contribute to improving U.S.-Georgia relations. She also noted that the U.S. now has the opportunity to appoint a new representative to Georgia, which means the country can start its relations with a clean slate.
**Party Politics: For People Withdraws from Opposition Coalition**
Anna Dolidze’s party, For People, has withdrawn from the Lelo-led opposition coalition, Strong Georgia. The party initially joined the coalition last summer ahead of the parliamentary elections to prevent Bidzina Ivanishvili from stealing votes and harming Georgia’s European path. However, they have now shifted their focus back to their own agenda.
**Government Faces Backlash: Filing Complaints Against Critics**
The Georgian Dream faction in Georgia’s one-party parliament is filing complaints with the Interior Ministry against its critics over what it considers “insults” made in public space, including on social media. This move has sparked backlash from activists and opposition parties, who see it as an attempt to stifle free speech.
**Activist Sentenced: Tbilisi City Court Sends Ucha Kemashvili to Administrative Detention**
Tbilisi City Court sent activist Ucha Kemashvili to ten days of administrative detention for disobeying police orders. However, the arrest is believed by many to be linked to Kemashvili burning the ruling party’s flag outside the parliament building.
**New Appointment: Irakli Purtseladze to Lead National Center for Disease Control and Public Health**
Irakli Purtseladze has been appointed to lead the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC), a position that has been vacant for nearly three years. He succeeds Amiran Gamkrelidze, who resigned in August 2022 after leading national efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
These developments highlight the ongoing tensions and challenges facing Georgian politics, as well as the country’s relationship with international partners like the United States.
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