Georgia

Polish President Andrzej Duda expressed support for Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili and her European aspirations. He supported holding new parliamentary elections in Georgia in accordance with OSCE recommendations.

Salome Zurabishvili said “We are not afraid” in response to the threats of imprisonment from Prime Minister Kobakhidze. The President supported the protesters in Tbilisi and insisted that new parliamentary elections be called.

Irakli Kobakhidze demands Salome Zurabishvili to leave the presidential residence by December 29 under threat of criminal liability.

On December 28, Georgia will hold an hour-long protest called the Chain of Unity against the inauguration of the new president. The protesters will form a human chain on the streets of seven locations in Tbilisi and other cities.

The European EQAR registry has suspended the registration of the National Center for the Development of Education Quality in Georgia. Experts warn of possible problems with diploma recognition and risks for European integration.

Georgian authorities will set up a working group with the Council of Europe to amend the law on “foreign agents. ” Prime Minister Kobakhidze promised to release most of the detained protesters and stop the use of force.

The President of Ukraine addressed the European Council on the situation in Georgia. Zelenskyy said that the Russian-controlled Georgian government refuses to cooperate with the EU and works in favor of Putin.

A shooting took place in the center of Sukhumi near the building of the parliament of the unrecognized republic, killing MP Vakhtang Golandzia. Another deputy, Kan Kvartsiya, was wounded in the arm.

Salome Zurabishvili appealed to the European Parliament to put pressure on the Georgian government to hold new elections. She claimed repression of peaceful protesters and stolen voting results.

During a conversation with the President of the European Council, Salome Zurabishvili said that only new elections can resolve the crisis in Georgia. She also does not recognize the legitimacy of the election of the new president, Mikheil Kavelashvili.

Lithuania and Estonia imposed sanctions on 17 Georgian politicians and officials, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. The reason was the suppression of protests and human rights violations in Georgia.

Estonia imposed sanctions against 14 Georgian officials, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. The Estonian Foreign Minister called on other EU countries to also respond to human rights violations in Georgia.

More than 10 marches are planned in the Georgian capital for the 18th day of protests against the suspension of EU accession negotiations. Participants include Real Madrid and Barcelona fans, What? Where? When? players, veterinarians, and IT professionals.

The New Year's tree lighting ceremony near the Tbilisi parliament was postponed due to an opposition protest. The President offered to move the event to her residence, but the mayor criticized the idea.

The bodies of 12 people have been found in an Indian restaurant in the ski resort of Gudauri. The preliminary cause of death is a generator running in a closed room during a power outage.

The current President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, called the election of the new President, Mikheil Kavelashvili, illegitimate.

Mikheil Kavelashvili is elected president of Georgia with 224 votes. The current president and the opposition do not recognize the legitimacy of these elections, which took place amid a political crisis.

Protesters against the only presidential candidate, Mikheil Kavelashvili, gathered near the Georgian parliament. The demonstrators came with diplomas, emphasizing the candidate's lack of higher education.

Protesters gathered near the Georgian parliament ahead of the presidential election with a single candidate from the ruling party. The protests erupted after the announcement of the termination of negotiations with the EU, and the current president refuses to leave office.

Georgia is holding presidential elections, where the favorite is the candidate of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Mikheil Kavelashvili. The incumbent president, Salome Zurabishvili, refuses to leave office, which exacerbates the political crisis in the country.

A mass rally in favor of Georgia's European integration continues in the center of Batumi, despite strong winds and heavy rain. The protesters were joined by sailors and psychologists, and a delegation of the European Parliament arrived in Tbilisi to support the rally.

Salome Zurabishvili criticized the Tbilisi mayor's plans to light the Christmas tree during protests near the parliament. The President proposed to postpone the celebration to December 17 and change the location.

Salome Zurabishvili does not recognize the December 14 presidential election and refuses to step down. She declares that she will remain president until democratic elections are held, supporting mass protests.

The Georgian parliament has banned covering faces and using pyrotechnics during protests. Fines of up to 5,000 GEL have been set for violating the new rules.

The United States has imposed visa restrictions on about 20 Georgian government officials, parliamentarians and others for undermining democracy. The restrictions apply to those involved in repressions against the opposition and obstructing Georgia's European integration.

The European Parliament delegation arrives in Tbilisi and supports a pro-European rally on Rustaveli Avenue. The protesters demand sanctions against the Georgian Dream, and MEPs recognize only the institution of the president as legitimate.

Developer Nick Shelia created the MNT social network to coordinate pro-European protests in Georgia. The app helps filter out disinformation and is available for download on the App Store and Google Play.

There are 27226 foreign students enrolled in Ukrainian universities, most of them from China - 10735 people. The most popular specialty among foreigners is medicine, and most students study at KNUTD.

EU and US companies continue to supply weapons to Russia through intermediary countries. Arms exports to Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and other countries have increased 2.5 times in three years, from where they end up in Russia.

Public sector workers in Georgia joined 14 days of protests near the parliament. In response, the government is preparing amendments to the law that will make it more difficult for fired civil servants to return to work.