Manana Vardiashvili
IWPR contributor in Georgia
Cut-price medication for many patients, and free treatment for the prison population.
Swanky cars and iPhones for government staff seen as excessive at a time when money is tight.
Campaigners say temporary shelters all well and good, but more concerted welfare programme is needed.
Revenue shortfall requires swift solutions, but officials say welfare won’t be slashed.
Politics a big factor in contested ownership of main television channels.
But critics say schemes to attract foreign investment may not be enough.
Total illegal, the custom has not been tackled aggressively by authorities who seem to fear treading on people’s toes.
Tough rules have landed thousands in jail for possessing small amounts in recent years.
Six years on from blanket ban, Moscow is wondering whether wine from its southern neighbour might not be so bad after all.
Caucasian state's health budget too small to pay high cost of treatment.