On 14 December we presented the study "The Time to Gather Stones: Overcoming Georgia’s Two-Party Divide". Insights gathered from focus groups and an analysis of previous attempts by various parties to establish themselves as a “third force” are put together in recommendations for both current and future political parties in Georgia. The research was carried out by the Chavchavadze Center in collaboration with the Caucasus Research Resource Center (CRRC) and in partnership with KAS South Caucasus and the Eduardo Frei Foundation.

Pashinyan attends summits in Russia, meets Aliyev
Prime Minister Pashinyan traveled to Saint Petersburg to take part in a summit of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) on 25 December and an informal meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) on 26 December. Assuming the Armenian chairmanship for 2024, Pashinyan highlighted his vision of the EAEU as a purely economic organization and rejected any "political ambitions". At the CIS meeting, Pashinyan met briefly with Azerbaijani President Aliyev. According to his spokesperson, the leaders also discussed the “Armenian-Azerbaijani peace agenda”.

New Year's address by head of Apostolic Church not broadcasted

For the first time in the history of independent Armenia, the traditional New Year's address of Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, was not broadcasted by public television channels. Church officials as well as political opposition figures strongly condemned this as an affront instigated by the government. The Prime Minister's relationship with the dominant Armenian church, widely regarded as difficult since Pashinyan first came into power 2018, has further deteriorated in the last months. 

Court extends detention of opposition leader Ashotyan

The Anti-Corruption Court has prolonged the detention of Armen Ashotyan, Deputy Chairman of the former ruling Republican Party. Ashotyan, who is in pre-trial detention since June 2023 on charges of embezzlement, has to stay in custody for another three months. The decision was made during a court hearing in Yerevan on 8 January. The Republican Party claims the charges against Ashotyan to be politically motivated and called the renewed extension "a judicial farce".

Oligarch and former Prime Minister Ivanishvili re-enters politics

Billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili declared his formal return to politics on 30 December.
The decision was first announced by the chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party Irakli Kobakhidze, while opening the party's congress. In his statement, Ivanishvili claimed his return to be rooted in the "complicated geopolitical situation” and the opposition's inability to hold the government to account. The oligarch explained that in his new position as "Honorary Chair" of the Georgian Dream, he intends to act as the "main advisor" to the party's leadership.

Fireworks and a brutal video fuel debate about animal safety

Referring to the large number of stray animals, Georgian activists called on citizens and authorities to limit the use of fireworks on New Year's Eve. The director of Tbilisi's zoo appeared on several TV shows, asking the capital's inhabitants not to use explosives in order to protect animals from stress, injuries and death. The debate further heated up after the celebrations, when on 8 January a video of a man beating a dog to death appeared on social media, leading to animal rights activists protesting on the streets. 

Icon depicting Stalin in Tbilisi's Trinity Cathedral sparks controversy

The discovery of an illustration of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin on an icon inside Tbilisi's largest church on 6 January led to widespread outrage. The NGO "Soviet Past Research Laboratory" strongly condemned the depiction as "an insult to the memory of the victims of Soviet Russian totalitarianism". The icon turned out to be a gift to the church by the "Patriots Alliance", a pro-Russian political group in Georgia. On 11 January, the Georgian Patriarchate asked the donors to remove Stalin from the icon.

Presidential election to be held on 7 February

No surprises are expected for the snap presidential election on 7 February, with incumbent Ilham Aliyev projected to be declared the winner by a large margin. The main opposition parties announced their boycott of the elections, citing a lack of time to find a candidate and prepare a campaign as well as the massive repressions against independent media. Several opposition groups are expected to field candidates, yet their participation is widely regarded as pro forma. 

Diplomatic tensions between Azerbaijan and France deepen
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 26 December summoned the French ambassador and informed her about the decision to expel two French diplomats from Baku, whose conduct was deemed "not compatible with their diplomatic status". Paris denounced Baku's decision as "unacceptable" and reciprocated by expelling two Azerbaijani diplomats. Tensions further exacerbated on 9 January, when France accused Azerbaijan of detaining a French citizen arbitrarily, demanding his immediate release. 

Aliyev reiterates demand for a corridor through Armenia

In a press briefing in Baku on 10 January, President Aliyev underlined his demand to include the so-called "Zangezur Corridor" connecting Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave into a future peace treaty with Armenia. According to Aliyev, Azerbaijan is "not going to open [...] [the] border with Armenia anywhere else", unless Armenia opens the so-called corridor. Aliyev further expressed his opposition against Armenian demands for international mediators as guarantors for the peace treaty.