Georgia's possible rapprochement with Russia.

Georgia makes sudden confession about country's president, 08.06.2024.

Georgian Prime Minister Papuashvili: President Zurabishvili May Pardon Saakashvili.

MOSCOW, August 6 — RIA Novosti. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili may pardon the former head of the republic, Mikhail Saakashvili, said parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili, his words are quoted by Channel One.

"Mikheil Saakashvili made sure that Salome Zurabishvili remained in office, the National Movement left her so that when they consider it necessary and the situation matures, Salome Zurabishvili will issue an act of pardon, what's surprising about that?" he said.

In February, Salome Zurabishvili said that the decision to pardon imprisoned Mikheil Saakashvili was the moral responsibility of the Georgian president and no one could influence it.

The Ukrainian parliament, as well as the founder of the opposition television company Mtavari Arkhi, Nika Gvaramia, and Saakashvili himself, appealed to her with a request to pardon him.
Saakashvili was detained in Georgia on October 1, 2021, and is involved in several criminal cases. The politician was convicted in absentia of the murder of banker Sandro Girgvliani and the beating of MP Valery Gelashvili. In the first case, Saakashvili was sentenced to three years in prison, in the second - to six. In addition, he is a defendant in the cases of dispersal of the opposition rally on November 7, 2007, the pogrom of the Imedi TV company, embezzlement of state budget funds and illegal border crossing - they are still being considered by the courts.

https://ria.ru/20240806/gruziya-1964419753.html

Georgia Announces EU Demand to Send Mercenaries to Ukraine, 08.06.2024.

Papuashvili: EU demanded sanctions and sending mercenaries to Ukraine.

After the start of the special operation in Ukraine, the Georgian authorities condemned Moscow's actions, but did not impose sanctions. According to the speaker of the republic's parliament, the EU tried to "drag us into war": they demanded the dispatch of mercenaries and the introduction of sanctions.

EU representatives demanded that Georgia organize the dispatch of mercenaries to Ukraine and introduce anti-Russian sanctions, Georgian parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili said at a briefing.

"The United National Movement party (founded by the former president of the republic, Mikheil Saakashvili. — RBC ) claimed that we had to send mercenaries to Ukraine and introduce sanctions against Russia. The Georgian Dream responded that this would drag us into a war. Similar statements were made by the Europeans, they tried in every way to drag us into a war with Russia, demanded that mercenaries be sent to Ukraine and sanctions be introduced against Russia," Papuashvili said (quoted by Sputnik Georgia).

The speaker of parliament noted that international aid is increasingly seen as a tool of pressure and is used by a number of countries to achieve political goals. He also criticized representatives of the United National Movement, noting that they only need power "to fulfill foreign orders."

After the start of the Russian special operation in Ukraine, the Georgian authorities condemned Moscow's actions, but did not impose sanctions against Russia. The chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Irakli Kobakhidze, noted that he would not allow the country to be drawn into the conflict in Ukraine. "There was a direct attempt [in Georgia] to organize the sending of volunteers to participate in the conflict, it was not achieved, and this very sad step followed," he said.

In Ukraine, the Georgian National Legion (recognized as terrorist and banned in Russia) is operating against Russian troops. The legion members, according to the FSB, are also involved in organizing sabotage and terrorist attacks on Russian territory. The legion is currently considered the largest armed formation staffed on a national basis, the special service indicated.

https://www.rbc.ru/politics/06/08/2024/66b209b19a79473b2768c451

When they talk about a pardon for the tie man you stop feeling sorry for them even when the EU tries to bully them into being a fresh source of cannon fodder.

They have learned nothing and are true believers... let them have their dreams come true.

Moscow advocates for developing an agreement between Tbilisi, Sukhumi and Tskhinvali, 08.08.2024.

MFA: Moscow supports the development of an agreement between Tbilisi, Sukhumi and Tskhinvali.

IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION THEY ARE IN FAVOR OF THE BEGINNING OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN AGREEMENT ON THE NON-USE OF FORCE BETWEEN TBILISI, SUKHUM AND TSKHINVAL BY THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE GENEVA DISCUSSIONS - ZAKHAROVA.

https://ria.ru/20240808/soglashenie-1964814180.html

GarryB wrote:When they talk about a pardon for the tie man you stop feeling sorry for them even when the EU tries to bully them into being a fresh source of cannon fodder.

They have learned nothing and are true believers... let them have their dreams come true.

"They" are non talking about it.
Foreign agent Zurabischvili wants to do it.

She should end up in prison as well.

Georgia admits responsibility for starting 2008 war, by Dmitry Alexandrov from Tbilisi for VZGLYAD. 08.08.2024.

The country's former authorities and President Salome Zurabishvili, who went into opposition, have acknowledged Georgia's responsibility for starting the 2008 war, said Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, a Vzglyad correspondent in Tbilisi reports.

He visited the graves of fallen soldiers and told reporters that international courts in The Hague and Strasbourg had confirmed that the Georgian army "did not violate human rights or commit war crimes at the time, and this is a fundamental victory."

Answering the question about who started the military actions, the chairman of the cabinet recalled that Saakashvili’s United National Movement signed a Council of Europe resolution on the responsibility of the Georgian side shortly after the war.

Irakli Kobakhidze also recalled that back in 2018, during the presidential campaign, President Salome Zurabishvili “proved that the war was started by (former President Mikheil) Saakashvili.”

In this regard, he confirmed that after the parliamentary elections on October 26, Georgian Dream intends to investigate Saakashvili’s 2008 “adventure.”

According to him, “an appeal may be sent to the Prosecutor General’s Office or the Constitutional Court, or perhaps a parliamentary investigative commission will take care of this.”

https://vz.ru/news/2024/8/8/1281213.html

Georgian Prime Minister Promises to Investigate Circumstances of 2008 Conflict, 08.08.2024.

Kobakhidze: Circumstances of 2008 conflict will be fully investigated.

TBILISI, August 8 - RIA Novosti. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said the country's leadership could use various types of legal forms to clarify the circumstances of the 2008 military conflict, when the Georgian army, on orders from then-President Mikheil Saakashvili, attacked South Ossetia.

On August 8, flags were lowered over government buildings in Georgia in memory of the victims of the 2008 military conflict.

"The legal form may be different: an appeal to the prosecutor's office, a parliamentary investigative commission, an appeal to the constitutional court - all instruments can be used. The public will receive information about all of this. But the main thing is that the 2008 crime committed by Saakashvili's National Movement regime be fully investigated," Kobakhidze told journalists.

On the night of August 8, 2008, Georgia fired at South Ossetia with Grad multiple rocket launchers. Georgian troops attacked the republic and heavily damaged its capital, Tskhinvali . Russia , defending the residents of South Ossetia, many of whom had accepted Russian citizenship, brought troops into the republic and drove the Georgian military out after five days of fighting. On August 26 of that year, Moscow recognized the sovereignty of South Ossetia and another former Georgian autonomous region, Abkhazia . Russian leaders have repeatedly stated that this recognition reflects existing realities and is not subject to revision. For its part, Georgia still does not recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia, considering them its regions.

https://ria.ru/20240808/gruzija-1965021241.html

Georgia's Neutrality Supporters Accuse the West of Provoking the 2008 War, by Dmitry Alexandrov from Tbilisi for VZGLYAD. 08.08.2024.

On the 16th anniversary of the 2008 war, the United Neutral Georgia movement declared that the country's previous authorities, through armed confrontation, "in a certain sense paid tribute with the blood of the Georgian people and Georgian lands to the ruling forces of the United States for the right to be called a 'beacon of democracy,'" a correspondent for the Vzglyad newspaper reports in Tbilisi.

The statement from the newly created movement also notes that “in 2008, the puppet leadership of Georgia was encouraged by the ruling forces of the United States and, contrary to the interests of its country and its sovereignty, entered into an armed conflict with Russia.”

“This ultimately resulted in huge casualties, the occupation of 20 percent of the country’s territory, tens of thousands of people becoming refugees, and the Georgian population being subjected to ethnic cleansing,” the statement from the neutrality advocates reads.

The authors of the statement note that the previous Georgian authorities “heard false statements of full support from the US, EU and NATO,” and after the war they “washed their hands of it” and, moreover, began to say that they warned (former President Mikheil) Saakashvili about the possible consequences.”

"United Neutral Georgia" calls the promises to accept Georgia into NATO, which the North Atlantic Alliance has been repeating regularly since 2008, "cynical." "The false promises to accept Georgia into NATO were initially utopian and were given only with the aim of using Georgia against Russia," the statement says.

"The US ruling forces deceived Georgia and Ukraine at the 2008 Bucharest NATO summit" by promising to join NATO, claims United Neutral Georgia.

Earlier, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that the country's previous authorities and President Salome Zurabishvili, who went into opposition, acknowledged Georgia's responsibility for starting the 2008 war.

https://vz.ru/news/2024/8/8/1281273.html

How US Military Support and Training Bolstered Georgia Before 2008 Conflict, by Ekaterina Blinova for Sputnikglobe.com.

Sixteen years ago, under President Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgia invaded South Ossetia, causing casualties among Russian peacekeepers. Russia swiftly intervened to establish peace, achieving its goal in just five days. But who emboldened Saakashvili's attack?

On August 12, 2008, the New York Times reported that the US' "mixed messages" to Tbilisi encouraged Saakashvili's military actions, including joint drills before the attack and assurances of Georgia's NATO future.

• Opposition leader-turned-Georgia President Mikheil Saakashvili had been Washington's darling since the pro-Western Rose Revolution of 2003 that pushed Georgia away from Russia.

• Between 2001 and 2007, US aid to Georgia, including security assistance, totaled over $945 million, averaging $135 million per year, up from $96 million per year between 1992 and 2000.

• The US provided military training to Georgian forces through the Train and Equip Program and Sustainment and Stability Operations Program until 2007, sending advisers to build up Georgia's military.

• Under Saakashvili, Georgian military expenditures surged from $74 million in 2003 to $923 million in 2007, according to SIPRI. Defense spending as a share of GDP rose from 1.1% in 2003 to 9.2% in 2007.

• Before the conflict, Georgia increased weapon imports from Israel, Turkiye, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Ukraine. According to the Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies (CAST), the Georgian military acquired self-propelled artillery, multiple-launch rocket systems, infantry fighting vehicles, T-72 tanks, Mi-24 helicopters, Buk-M1, Rafael Spyder-SR surface-to-air missiles, and Polish Grom MANPADS.

• In March 2008, Saakashvili claimed Georgia's Armed Forces had grown to 33,000 professional service members and 100,000 reservists.

• In April 2008, during the NATO Bucharest Summit, the US supported Georgia's NATO aspirations despite the substantial obstacle of Georgia's territorial dispute with South Ossetia.

• In July 2008, the US held the Immediate Response 2008 joint exercise with Georgian forces, involving over 1,000 American troops.

• Responding to reports that Russian forces captured US-made Humvees, US National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe demanded the return of any US military equipment seized during the August 2008 operation.

• The Russo-Georgian war resulted in over 1,000 deaths, including 72 Russian soldiers. On August 26, 2008, Russia recognized South Ossetia's independence.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240808/how-us-military-support-and-training-bolstered-georgia-before-2008-conflict-1119682791.html

Biden expressed disappointment with the actions of the Georgian authorities in a letter to Zurabishvili, 08.09.2024.

Biden Disappointed in Georgian Government Over Foreign Agent Law.

US President Joe Biden is disappointed with the actions of the Georgian authorities, who adopted the law on foreign agents.

He wrote about this in his letter to Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who published it on August 9.

“I am disappointed with the anti-democratic actions of the Georgian government, an example of which is the law on foreign agents,” Zurabishvili quoted from the White House chief’s message on her Facebook page (belongs to the Meta organization, recognized as extremist in the Russian Federation).

Biden also expressed dissatisfaction with the adoption of the law on foreign agents in Georgia.

At the same time, he noted the will of the Georgian people, who "continue to express their Euro-Atlantic aspirations." According to him, despite the cooling of relations between Tbilisi and Washington, the United States remains committed to Georgia's European and Atlantic integration.

He added that the United States of America defends common values ​​with Georgia – “stability, peace, freedom and human rights,” Gazeta.Ru clarifies.

Earlier, on August 5, Zurabishvili called the US decision to suspend funding for the country's army incomprehensible. She noted that the introduction of sanctions of this kind against the country's government is acceptable, but restrictions on aid to the army cannot be imposed.

Earlier, on July 31, Reuters reported, citing an official statement by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, that the US authorities had decided to suspend more than $95 million in aid to Georgia due to the adoption of the Foreign Agents Act.

Georgia's relations with the United States and the European Union worsened in the spring over the adoption of the law on foreign agents. The document was initially approved in May amid a series of protests in the country. Zurabishvili vetoed it , which MPs overrode . On June 3, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili signed the law, and it entered into force.

Following this, the US imposed visa sanctions on dozens of Georgian citizens and expressed readiness to expand the restrictions. Commenting on this, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze said that no one in the country was afraid of American sanctions . Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze called them insulting and declared Tbilisi's intention to reset relations with Washington.

https://iz.ru/1740393/2024-08-09/baiden-v-pisme-zurabishvili-vyrazil-razocharovanie-deistviiami-vlastei-gruzii

In reality what pushed Georgia towards the path of military action was Russia lessening sanctions against S. Ossetia and expanding links and trade with it following the US recognition of Kosovo independence, combined with the US encouraging the Georgians towards military action too on the assumption that Russia either won't react or will be humiliated.

Yes, that is right, part of the peace agreement that had Russian peacekeepers there was that Russia would close its borders to both regions so they would have to rely on Georgia for everything... when the bullshit about Kosovos so called independence kicked off Russia relaxed those rules and started trading with both regions which made them independent of Georgia and the tie man panicked.

Georgian Prime Minister makes statement on relations with the US, 08.10.2024.

Prime Minister Kobakhidze announced Georgia's readiness to "reset" relations with the US.

MOSCOW, August 10 - RIA Novosti. Georgia is ready to "reset" relations with the United States to strengthen cooperation between the countries , Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on the social network X.

"I had an interesting meeting with US Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Mike Turner, where we discussed the development of current relations between the US and Georgia. I confirmed Georgia's readiness to restart and reload our relations and cooperation," the Georgian Prime Minister wrote.

In his opinion, this will allow Georgia to "strengthen bilateral ties" and "promote greater development, prosperity, peace and security in the region and beyond."

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on July 31 that Washington was suspending its financial aid program for Georgia. The US also indefinitely postponed joint military exercises with Georgia and promised to review all cooperation programmes.

The reason was the adoption by the Georgian parliament of the law "On the transparency of foreign influence". This document provides for the registration of non-profit legal entities and media outlets whose income, in particular more than 20 percent, is received from abroad. The procedures around the law were accompanied by mass protests, President Salome Zurabishvili refused to sign it, but the parliament overrode the presidential veto. Western countries issued threats against Tbilisi.

https://ria.ru/20240810/gruziya-1965410344.html

.

Russia changed its policy and stance towards Abkhazia and South Ossetia after Kosovo declared independence.

Putin is a well known stickler for international law and the west claimed what Kosovo did was legal so Russia responded in kind and treated Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent separate states that Russia could trade with instead of autonomous regions of Georgia they need to go through Georgia to trade with.

The west will claim Kosovo is totally unique and cannot be used as an example for anywhere else, but that is only because what happened there suited their interests but it happening anywhere else does not.

Do as I say and not as I do...

"War Will Start in a Week." US Warns Another Russia Neighbour, by Mikhail Katkov for RiaNovosti. 08.13.2024.

Political scientist Apkhaidze: in Georgia, the West is pushing the opposition to unrest.

MOSCOW, August 13. The Georgian authorities have begun preparing society for an attempted coup d'etat, which the opposition may undertake after the parliamentary elections. At the same time, the government emphasizes that the West is helping them. How events are developing in Tbilisi — in the RIA Novosti article.

Foreign influence

National Assembly Speaker Shalva Papuashvili spoke of foreign interference in domestic political processes and cited the recent "Democracy Festival" financed by Denmark as an example. The ruling "Georgian Dream" called it a "festival of authoritarianism" since the opposition played a leading role there, calling, among other things, for the release of former President Mikheil Saakashvili. The event's organizers from the "Eastern European Center for Multiparty Democracy" claim that "Georgian Dream" was also invited, but they refused.

"We must do everything to ensure that authoritarianism and agent rule never return to Georgia," Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze noted in this regard.

The ruling party does not rule out that after the parliamentary elections their opponents, with the support of Western curators, will try to cause unrest in order to carry out a coup d'etat. If the opposition gains even a drop of power, volunteer units will be formed in Tbilisi in a week to help Kyiv, Papuashvili warned. This will lead to an economic catastrophe for Georgia at the very least, and most likely to a war with Russia.

President Salome Zurabishvili previously published a special charter for opponents of the Georgian Dream. The political forces that have joined it promise not to interfere with each other during the elections, and after winning, they must create a temporary government. Within a year, it will carry out "democratic reforms", in particular in the electoral law and the judicial system, after which new elections will be held. Almost all opposition parties have already signed the document.

The Georgian Dream expects Zurabishvili to pardon Saakashvili soon. Since several criminal cases have been brought against him, he will not be released anyway, but this symbolic gesture will inspire opposition supporters. After the Constitutional Court found Zurabishvili in violation of the basic law, she became the president not of the country, but of the United National Movement, Saakashvili's party, Kobakhidze said. And he added about her: "A simple puppet."

External Relations

On Sunday, Congressmen Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Mike Turner (R-OH) arrived in Tbilisi.

They expressed concern, called for "free and fair" elections. And assured that Washington was not planning a coup, but wanted to help Tbilisi continue moving toward NATO and the European Union. Unfortunately, Kobakhidze did not seem interested in this, Shahin complained.

"Against the backdrop of problems artificially created over the past four years, there is a need to reset relations. We need a fair, correct, healthy approach to this. Steps have been taken on our part. We expect the same from our American colleagues," the Prime Minister retorted, without specifying what exactly he meant.

The founder of the Georgian Dream, billionaire and "grey cardinal" Bidzina Ivanishvili did not want to meet with the congressmen. Kobakhidze said that the guests know why he made such a decision.

Abroad will help them

According to Shota Apkhaidze, an expert at the Financial University, the threat of a coup in Georgia is not someone's fantasy, but a real prospect. "The destructive opposition is striving for power, they have been dreaming of revenge for 12 years. Although they understand perfectly well that in the best case scenario they can count on a maximum of 25% of the votes," says the political scientist.

The West justifies all the actions of the opposition, thereby pushing it to more radical steps, he continues. Non-profit organizations associated with the EU and the US may claim that, according to their data, the Georgian Dream has lost the elections. However, Apkhaidze is confident that the government will cope with this challenge.

Head of the Caucasus Sector at IMEMO RAS Vadim Mukhanov points out that the law on foreign agents is capable of influencing the situation. "Of course, external forces interfere in the life of Georgia. Recently, albeit with some difficulty, a special law was adopted in this area. If the authorities consider that foreign interference has reached a critical level, they have a tool to protect sovereignty," the expert adds.
For example, political parties that actually play the role of foreign agents can be prevented from participating in elections. For now, the authorities and the opposition are exchanging blows only in the information space.

https://ria.ru/20240813/gruziya-1965755127.html

Georgian Prime Minister Calls Upcoming Elections a Referendum on War and Peace, 08.19.2024.

Kobakhidze: Upcoming elections (on Saturday, 26 October, 2024) will be a referendum on war and peace.

The upcoming parliamentary elections in Georgia will become a kind of referendum on the issue of war and peace, said the country's Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, reports the Georgian Channel One.

"These elections are a kind of referendum between war and peace, propaganda and traditional values. <...> I would say that such fundamental elections have never been held before," Kobakhidze noted.

In his opinion, making a choice is not difficult if you are guided by moral principles for the sake of peace and a bright future for the country.

Kobakhidze added that active work has already begun in the region, and the election campaign will be fully launched in Tbilisi in the coming days.

After the start of the Russian special operation in Ukraine, the Georgian authorities condemned Moscow's actions, but did not impose sanctions against Russia. Kobakhidze noted that he would not allow the country to be drawn into the conflict in Ukraine.

At the end of July 2024, the Prime Minister named the conditions for opening a second front against Russia. According to him, it will appear in Georgia if the party of the former President of the Republic Mikheil Saakashvili, the National Movement, wins the parliamentary elections in the fall.

According to the head of government, the election of the ruling Georgian Dream party is a necessary condition for the country's further advancement in all directions, including "along the path of European integration."

https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/66c371c69a7947ce25ef7af3

Well it is important that those who are not russophobic to clarify that the west wants bodies to throw at Russia and they really don't care whose bodies they are as long as they are not their own personal bodies.

You can lean west or any direction you like but don't think you will keep control if you do lean west.

They will be telling you what to do and which laws of yours they don't like because it limits their ability to control you on the sly.

All the money coming in to the country will go to a very specific few and that income will be dwarfed by the amount of money you are going to have to spend on weapons and equipment and military bases for them to move in next to Russia to agitate and perhaps even open another front against Russia to serve American purposes.

It certainly wont be in Georgias interests... but they don't care.

Not that Russia loves you, but it does want peace and normal trade with its neighbours where possible.

The Ukraine joined the western caravan of love and now good relations with Russia are over... they have literally burned too many bridges...

Georgia intends to declare Saakashvili's party unconstitutional, by Dmitry Alexandrov from Tbilisi for VZGLYAD. 08.20.2024.

The ruling Georgian Dream, if it receives a constitutional majority in the parliamentary elections on October 26, will declare the party of the former president, Ukrainian citizen Mikheil Saakashvili, who was sentenced to six years for corruption and abuse of office, the United National Movement, unconstitutional, and will also enshrine traditional family values ​​in the Basic Law, a Vzglyad correspondent reports in Tbilisi.

The ruling party said in a statement on August 20 that if it obtains a constitutional majority – 113 out of 150 seats – “a legal process will be initiated to declare the United National Movement and its satellites and successors unconstitutional.”

It is noted that this is necessary to improve the country's political system.

Georgian Dream also stated that “instead of repenting for the crime of 2008, the collective National Movement, with the start of military actions in Ukraine, continues to try to drag Georgia into them.”

At the same time, the ruling party acknowledges that the “nationals” have “strong external patrons.”

The ruling party also promises to enshrine traditional family values ​​and a ban on LGBT propaganda in the Basic Law.

“After this, no one will be able to impose same-sex civil partnerships, adoption of children by same-sex couples, sex change operations, propaganda of pseudo-liberal ideology in educational institutions or the media, etc. in Georgia,” the statement said.

Also, the constitutional majority may be needed by the party that has been ruling since 2012 in the event of a peaceful settlement of the conflicts in order to bring the territorial structure of the country into line with the realities, notes Georgian Dream, which calls, in particular, the upcoming elections in October a “referendum on war and peace.”

Georgian Dream also stated that a constitutional majority would allow it to “quickly and effectively reset relations with the United States and the European Union and thereby firmly protect Georgia’s interests in the international arena.”

According to the latest polls, Georgian Dream receives 106 mandates.

https://vz.ru/news/2024/8/20/1282907.html

Kiko wrote:Georgia intends to declare Saakashvili's party unconstitutional, by Dmitry Alexandrov from Tbilisi for VZGLYAD. 08.20.2024.

Georgian Dream also stated that a constitutional majority would allow it to “quickly and effectively reset relations with the United States and the European Union and thereby firmly protect Georgia’s interests in the international arena.”

There's no way in hell they believe enshrining anti-LGBTQ laws in the books will lead to them and the US/EU having better relations in the future. They'd be lucky not to receive a "color revolution" like the Ukraine did, or have politicians in Georgian Dream meet their "untimely" demise one after the other. Lets also not forget the biolabs that exist in Georgia, too. 

They'll find out eventually that there's no middle road with NATO, you're either their vassal or their enemy.

Is it time for the opposition to pack its bags? How Georgia is preparing for the "fateful" parliamentary elections, by Evgeniy Shestakov for Rossiyskaia Gazeta. 08.20.2024.

The Choice Between War and Peace Parliamentary Elections to Be Held in Georgia on October 26.

Georgia is moving full steam ahead towards the parliamentary elections. They will take place on October 26 and, according to the country's leadership, will be fateful. As Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated, "in a sense, a referendum between peace and war" is coming. However, the heightened degree of drama that the ruling Georgian Dream party is bringing to the upcoming plebiscite looks like excessive overcaution on its part. If the results of opinion polls are to be believed, it is time for the opposition to pack its bags. And in the literal sense of the word - if the Georgian Dream wins the elections and receives a constitutional majority in the legislative body, the leadership of the political association intends to declare the United National Movement party founded by former President Mikheil Saakashvili unconstitutional. And those involved in its activities in the past and present will be sent to court.

The fact that the "Saakashvili party", which is number five on the ballot, is in second place after the "Georgian Dream" in popularity with a rating of 13.1 percent, does not bother Prime Minister Kobakhidze. The current authorities have a chance to finally deal with their hated opponents - as the head of the Georgian government claims, the ruling party lacks only six mandates to obtain a constitutional majority in parliament. According to Kobakhidze's calculations, the deficit of votes does not look critical and it "can be easily eliminated."

The public bravado of the top officials of the Georgian Dream has its basis. Unemployment in the second quarter of 2024 fell by more than three points in the country and amounted to 13.7 percent. And this indicator is considered the most important in the eyes of Georgian society. Georgia earned a record almost two billion dollars in tourism in the first half of the year. Moreover, the number of Russians coming to rest was almost equal to the number of Turkish residents vacationing in Georgia (527 thousand and 623 thousand, respectively). Instead of an American company that failed to fulfill its investment obligations, China, which is successfully implementing large projects in Georgia, will undertake the construction of a deep-water port in Anaklia on the Black Sea.
This circumstance irritated the White House, which demanded that the Georgian government stop cooperation with Beijing. But the Kobakhidze government, it seems, went for broke in its relations with Washington, deciding that things definitely could not get any worse. And it refused to listen to advice from across the ocean.

The West encouraged Georgia to join restrictions against Russia, but did not provide any security guarantees.

Although the US State Department continues to threaten official Tbilisi with sanctions, it is noticeable that American officials have put further showdowns with the Georgian authorities on hold. The Prime Minister recently met with US Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Mike Turner in the Georgian capital. Following the meeting, Kobakhidze called the discussion interesting and said that he made it clear to his interlocutors that Georgia is ready to reset relations with Washington. This statement is of no small importance for the American side, given the costs the US has already incurred to promote Georgian democracy. According to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, over 32 years of partnership, they have amounted to more than $6.2 billion. If Georgian Dream confidently outperforms its opponents in the upcoming parliamentary elections and, no less importantly, keeps the political situation under control, Washington will most likely show realism and ease the pressure on Tbilisi.

https://rg.ru/2024/08/20/piaterku-budut-sudit.html