UNM’s Pavlenishvili: Ivanishvili’s bloc knows opposition voters will take to streets, not polling stations

Irakli Pavlenishvili, deputy secretary-general of the opposition United National Movement (UNM), accused Bidzina Ivanishvili’s political bloc of attempting to involve Western partners in Georgia’s local elections because it knows opposition voters will mobilise on the streets rather than at polling stations.

Responding to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s comments about inviting OSCE/ODIHR observers, Pavlenishvili said the move is intended to legitimise what he described as a “special operation” by the ruling party.

“The reality is that opposition-leaning citizens will not simply go to the polling stations - they will take to the streets. Ivanishvili’s forces know this and are therefore calling in our European partners,” Pavlenishvili said.

He argued that the ruling party no longer needs to intimidate or manipulate voters at the polls, as opposition turnout is expected to bypass formal voting, rendering the presence of observers largely symbolic.