Georgian opposition leader warns against ‘playing Gov’t’s game’ in upcoming elections

Gigi Tsereteli, one of the leaders of the Unity – National Movement opposition group, on Monday cast doubt on the legitimacy of the country’s upcoming local elections this autumn, warning that opposition’s participation under current conditions would mean “playing the government’s game”.

Three of four opposition coalitions and parties, which gained seats in the country’s parliament following the 2024 general elections, had boycotted the state legislature, with their 49 mandates already suspended. Only Gakharia for Georgia opposition, a party founded by former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia in 2021, had decided to maintain its 12 mandates despite its ongoing boycott to the parliament. The opposition claim the ruling Georgian Dream authorities had rigged the elections and are demanding the rerun.

Speaking about the municipal elections scheduled for October, Tsereteli emphasised that participation was not simply a matter of choice but rather depended on the political environment.

“It is inconceivable today that any self-respecting party and someone with even the slightest ability to judge would take part in such elections,” he said.

The opposition leader argued that the existing political climate made free and fair elections impossible and suggested that while participation remained a theoretical possibility, “those who do engage under the present circumstances would be playing the government’s game”.