Lelo’s Saba Buadze resigns from leadership, opposes party’s decision to enter local elections

Saba Buadze, head of opposition party Lelo’s Tbilisi branch and a member of the party’s political council, announced his resignation from both positions on Saturday in protest of Lelo’s decision to participate in Georgia’s upcoming local elections.

In a public statement, Buadze said he strongly disagrees with the party’s official stance and considers taking part in the elections under current political conditions a serious mistake.

“Participating in local elections contradicts the very path we collectively chose when we gave up our parliamentary mandates. I cannot, in good conscience, be a participant in this misguided step,” he stated.

Buadze emphasized that he will remain an ordinary member of Lelo only until party leaders Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze—both currently imprisoned—are released.

“They have been jailed by the regime precisely for their fight for democracy. I will continue this fight as a rank-and-file member until they are free,” he added, reaffirming his commitment to political struggle.

His resignation follows Lelo’s announcement that it will take part in the 2025 local elections as part of the “Strong Georgia” coalition, a decision that has stirred internal debate and criticism among party members and allies.

Buadze concluded his statement with a vow to continue resisting what he described as an oppressive political environment:

“The fight will continue until our unconditional victory,” he wrote.

The local elections are scheduled for October 4, 2025, and have already become a focal point for Georgia’s deeply polarized political landscape.