Kremlin, Georgian Dream equally nervous ahead of October elections, opposition leader

Irakli Nadiradze, chairman of the United National Movement faction in Tbilisi City Assembly, on Tuesday claimed that both the Kremlin and Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party were “increasingly anxious” about the upcoming October 26 elections.

The opposition member alleged the “shared nervousness” stemmed from the potential defeat of Bidzina Ivanishvili, “the Russian oligarch”, in the vote.

Nadiradze’s comments came in response to a statement from Russian foreign intelligence, which accused the United States of preparing a “color revolution” in Georgia.

Nadiradze suggested that the Kremlin’s alleged disinformation campaign, echoed by leaders of Georgian Dream, reflected a “coordinated effort” to influence the election outcome as “Ivanishvili’s grip on power appears to weaken”.

“The fact that the Kremlin and Georgian Dream are equally nervous about the upcoming elections speaks volumes,” Nadiradze said. He highlighted the Georgian people’s desire to move away from Russian influence and toward a European future, emphasizing that the final decision in these elections will rest with the voters, not foreign powers.