Following the results of the first session of the Georgian parliament of the new convocation, the powers of all 150 deputies were recognized
At the first session of the Georgian parliament of the 11th convocation, the deputies of the ruling Georgian Dream party recognized the powers of all its members, including the opposition members who demonstratively refused their mandates. Today's session took place despite a large-scale protest outside the parliament building. Opposition supporters who disagreed with the election results spent the whole night here.
 
The parliamentary meeting was attended by deputies from the ruling party. As a security measure, media representatives with temporary passes were not allowed into the hall - only accredited representatives of television companies. As reported by InterpressNews, the head of the temporary credentials commission announced the list of elected parliamentarians, after which a vote took place. Based on its results, 88 "Georgian dreamers" recognized the powers of 150 parliamentarians.
 
Let us recall that the Georgian authorities were skeptical about the opposition's decision to refuse their parliamentary mandates, which was made clear by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
 
"Everyone knows that it is impossible to cancel lists before the first session of parliament. Therefore, when the first session of parliament takes place, the powers of all deputies will be known. After that, if anyone wants to contact the Georgian parliament or the Central Election Commission on issues of canceling lists or terminating a mandate, they can do so, but only after the first session of parliament," Kobakhidze emphasized earlier.
 
Since October 28, mass protests against election violations have been taking place in Tbilisi. The position of the protesters is shared by the country's President Salome Zurabishvili, who called the first session of the renewed parliament unconstitutional. On November 19, she filed a lawsuit regarding violations of the voting procedure in the Constitutional Court.
Последние новости
Former senator Rauf Arashukov, sentenced to life imprisonment, has requested a transfer to his father's prison colony
Society
Former senator Rauf Arashukov, sentenced to life imprisonment, has requested a transfer to his father's prison colony
18 March 2026

Former Federation Council member Rauf Arashukov from the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, serving a life sentence in the Black Dolphin prison colony in Orenburg, expressed a desire to be transferred to a prison colony in Mordovia. The reason for this transfer is the fact that his father, Raul Arashukov, is also serving a life sentence there for stealing gas and organizing two murders.

The defense team for a Crimean Tatar political prisoner suffering from brain cancer is seeking his release
Human rights
The defense team for a Crimean Tatar political prisoner suffering from brain cancer is seeking his release
18 March 2026

The health of political prisoner Tofik Abdulgaziyev, who suffers from brain cancer, tuberculosis, and other serious illnesses, continues to deteriorate. His wife, Aliye Kurtametova, reported that his situation is "extremely critical" and recalled unsuccessful requests for assistance in similar cases.

Four regions of the North Caucasus Federal District have declared holidays to celebrate Eid al-Fitr
Society
Four regions of the North Caucasus Federal District have declared holidays to celebrate Eid al-Fitr
18 March 2026

Eid al-Fitr, one of the key Islamic holidays that concludes Ramadan, will begin on the night of March 19-20. Most republics of the North Caucasus Federal District have declared the holiday non-working.

Azerbaijan reminded Iran of the investigation into the drone attack on Nakhchivan
Politics
Azerbaijan reminded Iran of the investigation into the drone attack on Nakhchivan
18 March 2026

A telephone conversation took place between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Iran, Jeyhun Bayramov and Seyyed Abbas Araghchi. Bayramov insisted that Tehran fulfill its promise to investigate the drone attacks launched from its territory on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.