Georgian traffic and social problems

Today I was really annoyed not only by the public transportation system of Tbilisi, but also by the absence of respect to pedastrians from the part of Tbilisi City Council... Those who have been to Tbilisi can fully understand me. The traffic in the capital of Georgia is horrible, and this is the sole thing I am afraid of. In order to cross the street I usually use an underground, but this week it was impossible to cross Rustaveli street and Freedom square, entrence to all the undergrounds was blocked. The way out is just to run in order to avoid to get under the car... And I still cannot understand why we have only mini-buses going to Rustavi (and maybe other destinations), if there are so many people going to this place, especially in evenings... Georgian companies, which run this business, could make more profit, if we have buses in evenings (for more than just 18 people).... So, be careful in Georgia!


Overladen with my bags, I was approching a metro station, observing so many people, bagging for help on the sidelines of the sidewalks... It seems that resolution of the social problems will be the main priority before the upcoming presidential elections for the government... Mass rallies were driven mainly by poverty an absence of the Rule of Law for ordinary citizens...

On November 16, Georgian presient introduced a new Prime Minister, former Chairperson of the Supervisory Boar of the Bank of Georgia Lado Gurgebidze, saying that... “we need more momentum to our reforms. We have instructed the new prime minister to provide, stage-by-stage, a two-fold increase in pensions, a significant increase in teachers’ salaries, an increase in social assistance, more employment programs, and to deliver the results of our reforms to our citizens." And a new PM has replied that "the main task for me, if I am approved by Parliament, is to engage in communication and dialogue and if possible to reach consensus with the people, especially with socially vulnerable people."

I fully agree with a journalist from the GT that "Gurgenidze, who has been on good terms with authorities as a successful businessperson, especially with Saakakashvili, will be a fresh face detached from the current government's problems."(...) "According to Georgian experts, Nogaideli's government came under fire from many Georgians for failing to sufficiently address poverty and tackle soaring inflation. Nogaideli is also unpopular for education reforms that resulted in mass teacher lay-offs and for a series of privatizations that his critics say were non-transparent and clashed with democratic principles. . The new appointment must be approved by the parliament, but as the ruling party has the majority of votes at the legislature, approval is most probable. "