Giorgi Gakharia Says For Georgia Preparing for All Elections, Leaves Door Open for October Vote
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, April 17, 2025
In an interview on TV Pirveli, Giorgi Gakharia, leader of the opposition party For Georgia, said his party is preparing for all upcoming elections and has not ruled out participating in Georgia's municipal elections scheduled for October 4.
The statement comes amid heightened political tension and ongoing nationwide protests over the conduct of the October 2024 parliamentary elections, the government's foreign policy shift, and what opposition leaders have described as increasing authoritarianism.
"For Georgia may or may not participate in the local self-government elections, we are not ready to make that decision yet," Gakharia said during the interview, while emphasizing that political parties should always be prepared for any electoral scenario.
When asked whether the party would participate if early parliamentary elections are not held, Gakharia replied: "Of course, there is a chance," reiterating that their participation would depend on the political context closer to the date.
"I am saying one thing: we are preparing for any next election, because if you are a political party, you should always be ready for elections," he added.
The comments come as other opposition groups are openly debating whether to boycott the municipal elections. On Tuesday, Giorgi Baramidze, political secretary of Unity - National Movement, stated that under what he called the current "Kadyrovisation" and "Belarusisation" of Georgia, his party, and "any other normal party" would not participate in the October vote.
