2025 elections: scandal erupts in Georgian opposition

The Strong Georgia coalition has announced its participation in the local elections to be held in Georgia on October 4, causing a scandal among the opposition.

The coalition includes the Lelo for Georgia and Citizens parties. It was formed in 2024 ahead of the parliamentary elections.

"Today, the Strong Georgia coalition is making its statement. Today, the Strong Georgia coalition is officially and declaratively beginning its fight for every citizen of Georgia, for the rights of every person, for the future of every young person, and for the well-being of every elderly person. We are entering the fight against dictatorship on another main battlefield," said Irakli Kupridze, one of the leaders of Lelo for Georgia.

According to him, local elections are not just elections, but an opportunity to fight against the authorities.

"It is a crime to identify these elections as local elections. October 4 is a fight against the de facto government in de facto elections. This is an individual process for every citizen of Georgia and a verdict on the regime. Our fight against the regime is a common victory. We are not going to give up a single drop of freedom in this fight, either in Tbilisi or in the regions," Kupradze said.

He also called on other opposition parties to participate in the elections.

“We propose that the pro-Western opposition strengthen each other in our struggle. We are ready for unity with the pro-Western opposition, and we are ready for coalition work,” Kupradze said.

However, the Strong Georgia coalition's statement did not receive a response from the opposition.

“We must call a spade a spade — this is a betrayal of the common struggle. It is not a struggle for the country's survival, but a deal with the regime for an honorable second place,” said Tina Bokuchava, leader of Unity — National Movement.

At the same time, the opposition leader did not rule out that the Georgian president would pardon the leaders of Lelo for Georgia, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, without appeal.

"Today we saw the moral death of Lelo. Politics cannot exist without morality. Therefore, in October, we will see their electoral death," Bokuchava said.

Elene Khoshtaria, leader of the Coalition for Change, noted that it is up to history to decide whether the Strong Georgia coalition betrayed the opposition.

“Whether they are weak or traitors, let history judge, and we will get down to business,” Khoshtaria said.

She also noted that the low-rated Lelo for Georgia party does not decide the fate of the country.

Elections in Georgia

Local government elections will be held in October 2025. These are the largest elections in the country, when residents of all cities and districts elect their local leadership.

The threshold for proportional elections to all district advisory bodies, known as sakrebulo, is 4%. To win the mayoral election, a candidate must obtain a majority of the votes.

Local government elections differ from parliamentary elections in that the results are calculated separately for each district. Thus, most small parties do not have enough resources to win in a particular district.

To date, only two parties have registered to participate in the Georgian local government elections, which will take place on October 4.

The ruling party, Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia, intends to participate in the elections. Of the opposition parties that still have time to register, the parties “For Georgia” and “New Political Center – Girchi” have confirmed their participation.

The following parties have officially refused to participate in the elections: “Freedom Square,” European Georgia, United National Movement, Agmashenebeli Strategy, Akhali, Girchi – More Freedom, Droa, and Federalists.

Reprinted from https://sputnik-georgia.ru/