**Georgian President Visits Azerbaijan, Amid Ongoing Domestic Turmoil**
On April 15, Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili made his first official visit abroad since being elected by the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) parliament in December. The trip to Azerbaijan includes meetings with Prime Minister Ali Asadov, President Ilham Aliyev, and Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova.
The timing of this visit is significant, given Georgia‘s current domestic situation. The country has been plagued by protests and opposition movements, as many Georgians are unhappy with the GD government’s handling of power and repression of dissenting voices.
**Municipal Elections Loom on the Horizon**
Former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, now leader of the For Georgia party, stated that he is preparing for the upcoming municipal elections in October. While Gakharia has not yet confirmed whether his party will participate in the elections, he emphasized that any normal political party would be gearing up for such a significant event.
However, tensions between opposition parties and the GD government remain high. The recent police raid on the headquarters of the United National Movement (UNM) in 2021, which aimed to arrest opposition leader Nika Melia, has become a contentious issue. Gakharia claimed that this action was orchestrated by GD patron Bidzina Ivanishvili.
**Media and Opposition Under Siege**
The Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) is facing a “severe institutional crisis,” according to a report from the Media Advocacy Coalition. The report highlights systemic interference in GPB’s editorial independence, favoring the ruling Georgian Dream party. This has led to accusations of censorship against opposition and pro-Western views.
Meanwhile, Nika Gvaramia, leader of the opposition Coalition for Change, was summoned to Tbilisi City Court after failing to appear before a parliamentary investigative commission probing the actions of the former UNM government.
**Lithuania Imposes Sanctions on GD Officials**
On April 15, Lithuania published a list of sanctioned Georgian individuals, including top GD officials and police officers. These sanctions ban these individuals from entering Lithuania until 2029-2030.
**Transparency International Condemns Amendments to Law on Grants**
The same day, Transparency International condemned recent amendments to Georgia’s Law on Grants, stating they threaten civil society’s independence and its role in democracy. The organization expressed solidarity with TI Georgia and urged the ruling Georgian Dream party to withdraw these changes.
These events demonstrate the ongoing tensions between the opposition and the GD government in Georgia. As we continue to monitor the situation, one thing is clear: the Georgian people are demanding change and greater transparency from their leaders.