Ruling Party Executive Secretary defends Kaladze amid speculation over Tbilisi Mayoral candidate

Mamuka Mdinaradze, leader of the parliamentary majority and executive secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party, has dismissed opposition speculation over the party’s Tbilisi mayoral nominee, reaffirming support for incumbent Mayor Kakha Kaladze.

In a social media post, Mdinaradze criticised what he described as an artificial media campaign by “radicals” aimed at exploiting the temporary absence of a formal candidate announcement.

“Who will be Georgian Dream’s mayoral candidate, they ask - a manufactured PR stunt by the radicals out of nothing,” Mdinaradze wrote. “They could never even dream of having an alternative like Kakha [Kaladze].”

The statement comes amid increased speculation about whether Kaladze, a former footballer and the GD Secretary General, will seek re-election. Mdinaradze suggested that the opposition’s recent “flirtation” with political rivals was driven by impatience and an attempt to capitalise on a routine procedural delay.

“They’re dying to know who the ruling party will nominate,” Mdinaradze said, referring to the opposition. “Just because there’s a political tradition that the Political Council officially announces candidates, and one should wait for confirmation, they’ve tried to use this short period of uncertainty to stir confusion.”

Kaladze, who has served as mayor since 2017, has not yet been officially confirmed as the party’s nominee for the upcoming municipal elections.