Georgia

Georgia has 18 official holidays a year, the most in Europe. In 2024, a new holiday was added on May 17 - the Day of Family and Parental Respect.

The PACE Monitoring Committee is assessing Georgia's fulfillment of its international commitments amid the political crisis. The delegation met with the authorities, the opposition and visited imprisoned activists.

In Batumi, the leader of the opposition party, Giorgi Gakharia, was severely beaten in the Sheraton Hotel, he suffered a concussion and a broken nose. Deputies from the ruling Georgian Dream party are suspected of the attack.

Georgian police detained about 20 people during the protests over the past day. Nine people were detained in Tbilisi, near a restaurant where judges were holding a corporate party, and eight more in Batumi.

An earthquake of magnitude 3. 4 was recorded in northern Georgia with an epicenter 34 km from Tianeti. The tremors were felt in the village of Ukanapshavi at 09:23 local time.

In December 2024, the cost of making khachapuri in Georgia reached a historic high of 7. 03 GEL. Almost all the ingredients have risen in price over the year, except for eggs.

The Stalin Museum in Gori has announced a tender for the restoration of the house where the Soviet dictator was born. The renovation work is to be completed in 11 days and will include renovation of the roof, floor and other elements of the building.

More than 50 Georgian civil servants are preparing a class action lawsuit over their dismissal for criticizing the country's rejection of EU membership. The dismissals took place without justification following amendments to the Law on Civil Service.

Irakli Kobakhidze denied Macron's statement about Russia's growing aggression in neighboring countries, noting that it concerns only Ukraine. The Georgian prime minister advised the French president to focus on helping Ukraine.

The 40-day pro-European protests demanding the release of detainees and new parliamentary elections continue in Tbilisi. The protesters held a candlelight vigil on Christmas Eve, and a nationwide strike is planned for January 15.

The fuel company Wissol cut out the footage of actor Andro Chichinadze, who was detained for participating in the protests, from the commercial. The company explains this by the expiration of the contract, not political motives.

The Georgian Interior Ministry has started expulsion proceedings against 91 foreigners, including 25 protesters against the freezing of EU accession talks. 10 people have already left the country.

Some Chinese air carriers have begun to avoid flying over southwestern Russia after the plane crash in Kazakhstan. New routes to Georgia and Hungary now go through Azerbaijan and other regions of Russia.

Tens of thousands of pro-European demonstrators celebrated the New Year outside Georgia's parliament, continuing their protests against the government. President Salome Zurabishvili joined the protesters, refusing to hand over power to a successor.

A series of New Year's Eve protests demanding new elections are planned in the Georgian capital. Participants will collect humanitarian aid for the needy and hold several marches on Rustaveli Avenue.

Germany suspends 232 million euros worth of development projects in Georgia because of the country's rejection of European integration. Thousands of Georgians protest against the pro-Russian course of the Georgian Dream and demand new elections.

Mikheil Kavelashvili was sworn in as the new president of Georgia and signed a number of controversial laws. The previous president, Salome Zurabishvili, and the opposition do not recognize the legitimacy of his election and the laws he signed.

The inauguration of Mikheil Kavelashvili as President of Georgia took place in Tbilisi, accompanied by protests.

In the center of Tbilisi, police clashed with participants of an anti-government rally against the legitimacy of President Kavelashvili. One demonstrator was injured during the clashes, and the number of detainees is unknown.

Salome Zurabishvili announced her voluntary withdrawal from the Orbeliani Presidential Palace in Tbilisi. She called the upcoming inauguration of the new president, Mikheil Kavelashvili, a “travesty” and declared her unwavering commitment to the country.

Congressman Joe Wilson has announced the introduction of a US non-recognition act against the new regime in Georgia. The document will recognize Salome Zurabishvili as the only legitimate leader until fair elections are held.

Salome Zurabishvili says she is staying in the Orbeliani presidential palace in Tbilisi ahead of the new president's inauguration. She does not recognize the results of the December 14 presidential election, which was won by Mikheil Kavelashvili.

Republican Joe Wilson invited Salome Zurabishvili to Trump's inauguration in 2025. Zurabishvili refuses to step down as president until new parliamentary elections are called in Georgia.

The bodies of two missing climbers have been found on Mount Gran Sasso in Italy. The experienced climbers slipped in a gorge at an altitude of 2700 meters after being blocked by snow and frost.

The Presidents of Ukraine and Serbia have a telephone conversation to discuss the development of bilateral relations and coordination of efforts on the path to the EU. Serbia provides financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine, but refrains from sanctions against Russia.

Mikheil Kavelashvili will be sworn in on December 29 in the parliament without the participation of foreign representatives. The ceremony will last 40 minutes with a limited number of guests due to the “restrictions” of the session hall.

Women's protest marches “For Georgia” were held in Tbilisi and three other cities in Georgia. During the march in Tbilisi, an unknown person attacked a participant, and President Salome Zurabishvili supported the protesters.

Lasha Bekauri, a 24-year-old judoka, posted a video of a lion cub in the front seat of a car. The director of the zoo said it was possible smuggling, as the importation of wild animals is allowed only for scientific purposes.

Salome Zurabishvili announced the creation of a council to prepare for new parliamentary elections. The President warned the Georgian Dream that if no agreement is reached by December 29, the regime will collapse.

Human Rights Watch reported massive violations of the rights of peaceful protesters by the Georgian authorities. Human rights activists recorded numerous cases of beatings, torture and ill-treatment of detainees.