Georgian PM agrees to public debates after student protests

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has said he is willing to take part in public debates on any issue of public concern, including education, responding to student protests over a planned university merger.

His comments came after students gathered near Tbilisi State University on February 1, calling on the prime minister to engage in a live, public debate in any format and on any television channel. The protesters said that, amid a political crisis in the country, young people have pressing questions that need clear answers. The demonstration focused on government plans to merge Tbilisi State University (TSU) with the Georgian Technical University, Caliber.Az reports per Georgian media. 

Kobakhidze said he supports a debate-based format and sees the media space as an appropriate platform for such discussions. He added that he is prepared to engage with anyone who identifies as an expert on education reform, regardless of whether he personally considers them qualified, and emphasised his readiness to discuss any topic openly.

He also said that critics of the reform, including those voicing opposition on social media or in the press, should take part in these debates. According to the prime minister, encouraging what he described as healthy public discussion is especially important as the influence of radical political forces diminishes.

On January 29, the Georgian government announced plans to merge TSU and the Georgian Technical University under the name Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University as part of a broader reform of higher education.

Officials say the merger is intended to improve the quality of specialist training and create a more efficient, market-oriented higher education system.

By Sabina Mammadli