UNM slams two opposition parties over joint candidate, calls October 4 vote ‘Russian special operation’

Levan Sanikidze, a leader of the opposition United National Movement (UNM), on Tuesday condemned the parties For Georgia and Lelo – Strong Georgia for presenting a joint Tbilisi mayoral candidate ahead of the October 4 local elections, describing the vote as a “Russian special operation.”

Sanikidze claimed the elections would not reflect the will of the people, asserting that the results would be manipulated.

He criticised the nomination of Irakli Kupradze as the joint candidate, saying it did not alter the “predetermined outcome.”

“From the start, we have noted this is a Russian special operation. On October 4, no genuine elections will take place. It does not matter who the candidate is. When the majority’s will is ignored, the main actor is irrelevant - yesterday, Kupradze took on that role himself,” Sanikidze said.