At Junior Eurovision in Malta, Georgia's entrant Davit Lomidze, winner of the ninth season of 'Ranina', finished fifth with 'Sun on the Rooftops' (94 jury points, 51 online votes). Sixteen countries took part; Armenia's Naré won with 'BOO!'.
A mass baptism took place in the Skhalta diocese of Upper Adjara on 25 October; according to 1TV, about 1,300 people, including adults, were baptised. President Mikheil Kavelashvili and Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili attended. Both spoke about faith, family and the state, and marked 1,700 years since Christianity became Georgia's state religion.
Supporters of the Opposition Alliance gathered at Tbilisi State University's first building on 25 October, the second anniversary of the disputed 2024 election, and marched towards Rustaveli Avenue. The alliance launched a new campaign aimed at building up to a large rally in Tbilisi on 28 November. Leaders of several parties spoke, including Nika Gvaramia, who said turnout would be decisive; speakers also focused on the pending lawsuit to ban opposition parties.
The monumental art commission of Abkhazia's de facto authorities chose a design by sculptor Timur Akhuba for a monument in Gali. Abkhaz outlets describe Ketsba as the town's first inhabitant and founder and give his life as 1806–1943.
Saturday's traditional march set off on the evening of 24 October from Avlabari metro towards Rustaveli Avenue and Parliament. JAMnews reports hundreds took part with Georgian, EU and Ukrainian flags, calling for a return to European integration, the release of political prisoners and early elections. No incidents were reported.
Georgia's National Food Agency tested 44 spice samples from shops nationwide in September. Laboratory results found Sudan-group azo dyes in a red pepper, two Svan salt products and a minced-meat seasoning. Sales of the products have been banned and they are being withdrawn; consumers are advised not to use them.
JAMnews reports that on October 22 the Constitutional Court granted none of the opposition's motions. It turned down Lelo's requests to involve Venice Commission experts and to seek an advisory opinion from the European Court of Human Rights, and the Coalition for Change's requests for more evidence, witnesses and time to study the case file. The court has until June 24, 2027 to rule.
Citing Galt & Taggart, BM.ge reports third-quarter hotel occupancy of 79% in Tbilisi and 84% in Batumi.
BM.ge reports that residential property prices in Tbilisi rose 5.9% year on year in the third quarter of 2026. Mtatsminda and Vake remain the city's most expensive districts.
According to a U.S. Embassy alert, participants will gather at Tbilisi State University on Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue from about 19:00 and may march, possibly to Heroes Square, temporarily disrupting traffic. RFE/RL reports that the rally opens the opposition's 'Georgia Without Ivanishvili' campaign, planned to run until November 28.
BM.ge reports that Royal Jordanian has begun regular flights between Amman and Tbilisi, adding another direct link to the Middle East.
Banks' filings with the National Bank of Georgia show sector profit of almost GEL 2.9bn in January–September 2026, about 20% higher year on year. Fifteen of 19 banks were profitable; Paysera Bank, Heshbank, Silk Bank and VTB Bank Georgia reported losses.
At Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili's initiative, the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan met in Batumi. Talks covered the Middle Corridor, trade, transport and tourism. No signed documents were reported; the sides said they are ready to continue the format.
According to Rosselkhoznadzor, two Georgian dairy processors will be able to enter the Russian market from November 2026. Agency officials met Georgia's National Food Agency in Tbilisi; Russia also plans to inspect six Georgian fish and seafood producers.
In a joint statement, David McAllister, Nils Ušakovs and Rasa Juknevičienė said Georgian Dream's call for dialogue cannot mask its attempt to ban opposition parties, and urged the Council to impose targeted sanctions. On 24 October Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze called such assessments political interference and said the lawsuit is needed to end polarisation.
Prosecutors detained Asaval-Dasavali journalist Dito Chubinidze and charged him with high treason, alleging he sabotaged the work of the state commission on delimiting and demarcating Georgia's border. Civil.ge links the case to his accusations against the Prime Minister over a land transfer in the Davit Gareji area. His lawyer says the evidence consists of his public interviews; Chubinidze denies the charges.
Hearings began in Batumi on October 21 on a lawsuit filed by 88 Georgian Dream MPs, who argue that the five parties tried to change Georgia's constitutional order by force. The case targets the United National Movement, Coalition for Change, Strong Georgia–Lelo, the Federalists and For Georgia. The court turned down opposition motions; opposition leaders and the EU have warned about the future of political competition.
OC Media sets out which parties are targeted and how the case got here. Legal changes passed in 2025 let the court also ban a party whose goals and membership match one already banned, and the ruling cannot be appealed. On October 19 a European Commission spokesperson said the proceedings point to a troubling use of the justice system.
First Deputy Foreign Minister George Zurabashvili has become the Prime Minister's special representative for relations with Russia. JAMnews looks at what the appointment means for Tbilisi–Moscow ties.
Civil.ge reports that the National Bank of Georgia left its key rate unchanged at 8.25% and raised its inflation forecast for 2026 to 5.4%.
A Tbilisi judge sentenced journalist Vakho Sanaia to 30 days of administrative detention on October 19 over two Facebook posts and a video concerning Shalva Papuashvili and Lado Bozhadze, Netgazeti reports. Police detained him at home. He had been fined in July and then detained for 14 days over similar posts. The Media Advocacy Coalition called the case pressure on journalism and free expression.
Six men convicted in the fourth episode of the October 4 case were released from Gldani prison on October 16, Netgazeti reports, citing TV Pirveli. Eleven of the thirteen defendants had admitted guilt under plea deals and received one year in prison plus three years' probation; one defendant who rejected a deal was sentenced to five years.