Georgia

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Georgia’s president vetoes media legislation that has provoked weeks of protests

TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Georgia’s president on Saturday vetoed the so-called “Russian law” targeting media that has sparked weeks of mass protests.

https://apnews.com/article/georgia-media-law-0b626b2cfe22761c03e6cce1b2a59d1a?

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Georgia prepares for a divisive election which could determine its future in Europe

JAVAKHETI, Georgia (AP) — When Vahan Agayan goes to the polling station in Georgia’s parliamentary election Saturday, he says he and his wife will vote as directed to by officials of the ruling Georgian Dream party.

https://apnews.com/article/georgia-russia-election-georgian-dream-opposition-7514f5b099c6442c72c43e550e851f10?

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Protests in Georgia lay bare a clash of values and interests The small but ancient Caucasus country, which inhabits a crossroads between Slavic, Turkish and Persian cultures, has recently found itself navigating the geopolitical standoff between Russia under President Vladimir Putin and the wealthy West. Read more.

Key points: The country is convulsed by political upheaval again after its pro-Moscow government decided to suspend talks for the former Soviet republic to join the European Union. The move came after the European Parliament passed a resolution criticizing the Oct. 26 election as neither free nor fair.   Over 200 people have been detained after four nights of protests in the capital, Tbilisi, where tens of thousands of people have rallied outside parliament — a sizable turnout for a country of 3.7 million people. Opinion polls have repeatedly shown most Georgians want their country to join the European Union — and supporters of accession to the 27-member bloc have turned out in force to protest the government’s move.   Some see parallels between the recent protests in Georgia and those in Ukraine earlier this century as Kyiv sought to move closer to the West. Georgia, like Ukraine, has sought to join the NATO military alliance, which Putin’s Russia considers a step too far for Western expansion into the former Soviet — and Russian — sphere of influence. Russia has a long border with Georgia, which is not contiguous with any EU country — though it does share a border with NATO member Turkey.

Related coverage ➤ Police in Georgia move again to disperse protests over the suspension of EU talks  Blinken heads to final NATO foreign ministers meeting of Biden administration with Ukraine in focus   German leader Scholz vows more Ukraine aid and defends his phone call with Putin

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Ex-soccer player Kavelashvili becomes Georgia’s president in a blow to country’s EU aspirations

TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Former soccer player Mikheil Kavelashvili became president of Georgia on Saturday, as the ruling party tightened its grip in what the opposition calls a blow to the country’s EU aspirations and a victory for former imperial ruler Russia.

https://apnews.com/article/georgia-president-zourabichvili-russia-kavelashvili-protests-3a7f5018879c77b6c596d312a163b79c?

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A Russia-like crackdown in Georgia is targeting protesters, rights activists and the media

TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Almost every day for nearly a year, Gota Chanturia has joined rallies at Georgia’s parliament against the government and its increasingly repressive policies. He’s done this despite mass arrests and police violence against demonstrators.

https://apnews.com/article/georgia-russia-crackdown-protests-european-union-40cef7f965eb796ab23443f1c66d439b?