Opposition parties unite, demand new elections and release of political prisoners

Four opposition political parties—Coalition for Change, Unity – National Movement, Strong Georgia, and For Georgia—have issued a joint statement following the aftermath of Georgia’s controversial October 26, 2024, elections.

In their statement, the parties reiterated their demands to Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party, highlighting urgent steps to resolve the ongoing political crisis:

1. Immediate release of political prisoners: The opposition insists on the unconditional release of all individuals detained during protests, claiming their arrests were politically motivated. They also call for the cessation of any ongoing legal actions against them.

2. Call for new elections: The opposition demands a rerun of the 2024 parliamentary elections under the supervision of a newly formed, independent electoral administration. They stress the need for political neutrality among law enforcement agencies to ensure fair and transparent elections.

The opposition leaders emphasized that these steps are essential to restoring democratic governance and overcoming the country’s crisis.

“We stand united in declaring that the victory of Georgia’s freedom is inevitable. The people of Georgia demand justice and democracy,” the statement concludes.

The demand comes amid escalating tensions and mass protests following what opposition parties and activists have described as a deeply flawed election. The government has yet to officially respond to the statement.