Kobakhidze made a statement on the current situation in Ukraine and Moldova, noting that putting these countries ahead of Georgia is unrealistic.“We all see the situation in Ukraine and Moldova. Unfortunately, the situation in Ukraine is extremely difficult. After 2022, the processes have developed severely - the economy has collapsed, the infrastructure is destroyed, the humanitarian situation is extremely difficult, corruption is rampant. As for Moldova, it is one of the most corrupt countries in Europe, which is reflected in their economic growth. Over the past 5 years, we have managed to increase the difference between the economies of Georgia and Moldova by approximately $ 14 billion,” the Prime Minister said.According to the head of government, in order to end the political crisis in Georgia, a legal ban on the “Collective National Movement” is necessary, for which the ruling team has already applied to the Constitutional Court.Kobakhidze compared the opposition unity to the German National Socialist Party.“I compare the German National Socialist Party in its essence to the collective “National Movement”, which is a fascist-Bolshevik union in content. Our desire is that parliamentary elections be held without these four radical unconstitutional parties. Our country cannot constantly revolve in this vicious circle, when on one side there is the ruling party and on the other side there is a radical, anti-state and anti-church opposition. This vicious circle must be broken,” Kobakhidze noted.The Prime Minister emphasized that the demand to ban the opposition is based on their past activities and constant “sabotage”. According to him, the lawsuit presents many arguments, including “human torture, business racketeering and media hijacking”. According to Kobakhidze, after the radical forces are removed, the arena will be given over to a “healthy political spectrum” by 2028.In the context of foreign policy, Irakli Kobakhidze also spoke about the expectation of a reset of relations with the US and specified the timing of communication.“There are very specific plans. You will see specific results by the end of May, communication will take place in specific directions. We have a specific agenda agreed with the American side and a number of communications will take place by the end of May. I did not say April, I am telling you May,” he added.

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The candidates are:  Locum Tenens of Catholicos-Patriarch, Metropolitan of Senaki and Chkhorotsku Shio (Mujiri); Metropolitan of Mroveli-Urbneli Iobi (Akiashvili); and Metropolitan of Poti and Khobi Grigoli (Berbichashvili).The Synod selected three candidates from a total of six nominees. According to the results of the secret ballot, Metropolitan Shio received 20 votes, while Metropolitans Iobi and Grigoli received seven votes each.As Senior Deacon Andria Jagmaidze, Public Relations Officer of the Patriarchate, told journalists, the other candidates were Bishop Grigol Katsia, Bishop Dositeos, and Bishop Melchizedek."Today's Synod has ended. As always, the Synod's resolution will be read out later by the Synod Secretary. Today, the Patriarchal candidates were selected. Three candidates were selected: the enthroned Shio, Bishop Job, and Bishop Grigol. Subsequently, as you know, the vote between these three candidates will be held at an expanded session, where the result of the vote will already show us who the future Patriarch will be. The date is not yet known. As for who received how many votes, the enthroned Patriarch received 20 votes, the other two candidates received 7 votes each. Bishop Grigol Katsia, Bishop Dositheos, and Bishop Melkisedek were also nominated as candidates. The main principle issue that was to be resolved at today's session was that the entries in the Management-Board Regulation be strictly implemented, and the Synod was guided by this," Jagmaidze told journalists.

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As a result of the vote, the Adjara Cabinet of Ministers was formed as follows: Minister of Finance and Economy: Ednar Nataridze Minister of Health and Social Protection: Nino Nizharadze Minister of Education and Sports: Maia Khajishvili Minister of Culture: Eliso Bolkvadze Minister of Agriculture: Denis Salukvadze Zurab Pataradze presented the action plan to the deputies and noted that all strategic projects launched in the region will continue. According to him, the priority areas remain healthcare, education and tourism development.It is noteworthy that members of the "Gakharia for Georgia" party did not participate in the government approval process.

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Prior to his appointment to the said position, Mikheil Khidureli was the head of the agency “Enterprise Georgia” for years.His appointment was made on the basis of Article 9 of the Law of Georgia “On Public-Private Partnership”.

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According to the EU Delegation’s communiqué, the discussions between the parties were comprehensive and focused on the future of EU-Georgia relations.“The European Union Ambassador to Georgia, Paweł Herczyński, was invited for a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Maka Botchorishvili. They had a substantive discussion about EU-Georgia relations.Since Georgia’s independence, the EU has stood by Georgia, helping to build a democratic and prosperous state. The EU has shown time and time again that it wishes Georgia to move forward.The EU leaders have unanimously decided to grant Georgia a candidate status. Like the majority of Georgians, we believe that membership in the EU offers Georgia the best guarantee of peace and prosperity.Accession to the EU requires sincere commitment and tangible reforms to align with EU values and standards. Unfortunately, the current trajectory taken by Georgian authorities pushes Georgia away from the path of EU membership. Persistent anti-EU rhetoric further undermines the credibility of Georgia’s EU aspirations.The European Union does not force anyone to become a member. We wish that Georgian authorities do not miss this historic opportunity that still exists,” reads the statement.For context, Georgian Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maka Botchorishvili, summoned EU Ambassador to Georgia, Paweł Herczyński, to a meeting. Subsequently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement regarding the encounter.According to the ministry, the Minister highlighted that Brussels’ current policy towards Georgia, specifically, the recent steps and statements, undermines mutual trust and damages the Georgia-EU partnership.The summoning of Ambassador Herczyński was prompted by remarks he had made several days earlier at an event held at the European External Action Service in Brussels, which several Georgian media outlets have subsequently circulated: “Georgia stands at a crossroads. Georgia’s future has not yet been written, but what is decided in the coming weeks and months will determine whether Georgia belongs to the family of European nations founded on democracy, the rule of law and human rights — or whether, regrettably, it returns to its dark past.” He had further stated: “We must not allow Georgia, and the wonderful, warm, hospitable Georgian people, to return to a dark era of violence, civil war, poverty, hardship and corruption.”On April 23, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze declared that “the EU Ambassador is threatening the Georgian people with civil war and impoverishment, and that is a direct threat. It is therefore appropriate that the Ambassador be summoned to the Foreign Ministry.”

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According to the official document, Beka Dvali is to take over the leadership of the diplomatic mission in Israel from July 1, 2026.From the same period, within the framework of rotation, Dvali is leaving the post of Georgian Ambassador to the Commonwealth of Australia. By the second decree of the Prime Minister, a proposal has already been submitted to the President on his dismissal from Australia, which is related to “transfer to another position”.The procedure for the appointment and dismissal of an ambassador is carried out in accordance with Article 52 of the Constitution of Georgia and the Law “On the Structure, Powers and Procedures of the Government”. The aforementioned norms envisage the nomination of the candidate by the government and his final appointment by the president.Beka Dvali is an experienced diplomat who has represented Georgia’s interests in Australia, Fiji, Kiribati and other countries in Oceania for years. His transfer to Israel is driven by the dynamic geopolitical situation in the Middle East, where Israel remains one of Georgia’s strategic partners.

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As the government explains, the aforementioned amendments will increase the efficiency of the law enforcement system by strengthening interdepartmental coordination, while maintaining the institutional independence of law enforcement agencies.According to him, the change will ensure the synchronization of the activities of law enforcement agencies, the acceleration of relevant decision-making, the timely preparation of necessary legislative amendments, and an effective and timely response to dynamic challenges.“At any stage of the country’s development, the smooth, coordinated functioning of law enforcement agencies is of particular importance.Along with the development of society, the methods and means of crime change. Accordingly, the regulatory policy of the law enforcement sphere, approaches and methods of combating crime require constant refinement and transformation.The existing government structure does not provide for a systematic mechanism for the coordination of law enforcement agencies. At the same time, law enforcement functions are distributed among several agencies. In order to increase the effectiveness of this important area of ​​operational coordination of the aforementioned agencies, it is necessary to have a single strategic coordinating agency within the government, since according to the legislation of Georgia, the Government of Georgia takes measures to ensure public security. It is the coordinating agency for planning national security policy.The change ensures the strengthening of cooperation between law enforcement agencies. Joint "Supporting the planning of operations, introducing information exchange standards. On the other hand, assessing the effectiveness of their activities, identifying problem areas. Also, within the framework of the constitutional powers of the government, the State Minister will coordinate with the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia, the State Audit Office and the judiciary.The aforementioned change will ensure the synchronization of the activities of services with law enforcement functions, acceleration of the adoption of relevant decisions, timely preparation of necessary legislative amendments and effective and timely response to dynamic challenges," the explanatory note attached to the draft law states.After the creation of the position of State Minister for Coordination of Law Enforcement Agencies, the post will be held by Mamuka Mdinaradze. Mdinaradze's written statement on his early resignation from the post of State Security Service has already been submitted to the Parliament.

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During the meeting, the parties discussed the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries and the growing dynamics of bilateral relations.Particular attention was paid to bilateral, regional and international cooperation in the field of defense. They also discussed important joint projects and emphasized that the partnership between Georgia and Armenia in the defense sector is developing successfully within the framework of the bilateral cooperation plan.The discussion also touched upon the important role of the region in international processes. The Prime Minister once again reaffirmed Georgia’s readiness to contribute to strengthening stability and peace in the region.

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Kobakhidze emphasized Orbán’s “many years of support” for Georgia and noted that Budapest’s position in the European Union was important in terms of pursuing the country’s interests.“We hope that our people and country will continue to have lobbyists, strong lobbyists in the European Commission and the European Union. Hungary was not the only one supporting us, others were supporting us as well,” the prime minister told reporters.When asked about possible sanctions from the European Union, which have been actively discussed in recent times against the backdrop of tense relations with Brussels, Kobakhidze took a sharp stance.“You expect whatever you want, I expect nothing,” the head of government said in response to the question of whether he expects personal or state restrictions from his partners.Irakli Kobakhidze’s statements come at a time when EU ambassadors in Brussels have expressed preliminary support for the 20th package of sanctions against Russia. At the same time, after the elections in Hungary, where Viktor Orban was defeated, Georgia is facing a transformation in the support of one of its main allies in the region. According to the Prime Minister, Tbilisi is ready to continue working to attract new supporters in the European Commission and the European Council.

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Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said the ruling party would withdraw its old lawsuit and instead submit an expanded list that includes the Federalists party. The previous targets of the ban were the United National Movement, the Coalition for Change, and Lelo.Papuashvili said the lawsuit was amended following a declaration signed by opposition groups on March 2, 2026. According to him, this union aims to “not recognize constitutional institutions and undermine democratic processes.”“We are appealing to the Constitutional Court with a new, amended lawsuit, in which the number of parties has increased,” Papuashvili said. He called the opposition alliance a continuation of the “criminal regime” and noted that the government is monitoring both the parties’ “anti-constitutional goals” and their influence on political processes.Political temperatures in Georgia have been particularly high since the opposition and part of the West did not recognize the results of the October 2024 parliamentary elections as legitimate. The Georgian Dream, which has been in power since 2012, accuses its opponents of pursuing the interests of the “global war party” and attempting to destabilize the country.Critics and international human rights organizations believe that the possible ban on opposition parties would push the country toward one-party rule and ultimately distance it from its goal of integration into the European Union.If the Constitutional Court upholds the lawsuit, the country's leading opposition forces would be stripped of their electoral status, an unprecedented step in Georgia's modern history.

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