The Daily Dispatch is our editorial take on the past day’s news. You can subscribe here to get it in your mailbox. Click to write to us! We’d love to hear your ideas and opinions. Giorgi Tskhakaia has been scanning the news for you.
Poland cares — Czechia welcomes — Bzhania laments — Lari finds its hidden strength — Constitution changes go public
Georgia’s New Guardian Angel Poland and Georgia have charted largely similar courses over the last few centuries – waging a steady, though at times failed resistance against Russia. Two brotherly nations are now long settled to present a united front against the erstwhile superpower. As a token of evermore-cordial relations, Poland has included Georgia in revised national security blueprint, declaring supporting of Georgia’s territorial integrity, as well as its EU and NATO aspirations as matters of priority. Dziękuję, Polska!
Keeping it in: Abkhaz leader Aslan Bzhania, whose ascent to power – some presumed – spelled a thaw in relations with Tbilisi, has spoken out against alleged “smuggling” of hazelnuts and other goods. A bulk of local produce gets sneaked to Georgia proper each year, lining unscrupulous traders’ pockets, Bzhania lamented. He promised to beef up control with Tbilisi-controlled territories, implying more stringent vetting and sealing the crossing points off every now and again. No lessons learned then – from his predecessor’s mistakes.
Crunch time Constitutional changes that would change the distribution of seats of seats towards more proportional system (120/30) will start to be discussed publicly starting tomorrow, 4 June. Since public gatherings are still banned, the debate will be televised. The law says such changes require a one-month public debate before it lands on the Parliament floor. Ruling party chiefs expect the changes to pass by 29 June. Unless there is a hitch.
Lari bubbles up Georgia’s foremost patient – Lari – that was hardest hit by Covid-19 crisis, seems to be on the mend now, as it is trading at 3.01 per U.S. dollar on Bloomberg’s platform. Cheering news as Georgia will have to grapple with a growing balance of payments deficit. The national currency has regained some ground after it hit rock-bottom in late March, trading at 3.54 per single dollar. Lari has caught most of market watchers by surprise – who are now speculating what brought this swift recovery. Economy Minister Natia Turnava gave a somewhat contradictory explanation – she said government’s prudent fiscal policy, as well as nearly-frozen economic activity boosted the currency.
From Prague with Love Czech Republic is first to pat Georgia on the back for its success of handling the pandemic – by reopening its borders to Georgian travelers as soon as possible (late June?). Other countries are lining up to welcome Georgians with their arms wide open – deals to set up ‘corona-safe corridors’ with Israel and Greece are already in the works. It’s not all roses, though. Georgians’ wallets took a hard beating and many are highly likely to opt for “staycations” – saving some money for a rainy day. Then again, knowing the prices that some Georgian prime spots charge, the jury is still out…
We stand corrected: In our yesterday’s edition, we falsely assumed that Giorgi Vashadze represents the Free Georgia party. In fact, Mr. Vashadze leads the New Georgia party. Sorry.
That’s full lid for today!