Fifth President Zourabichvili: no victory possible in local elections ‘under these conditions’

Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zourabichvili, has warned that opposition participation in the upcoming local elections would be futile under the current political climate, pointing to “systemic issues” including “political imprisonment, media restrictions, and lack of judicial independence.”

Speaking at a briefing on Thursday, Zourabichvili said she found it "surprising and incomprehensible" that some opposition parties were considering contesting the October 2025 elections while, according to her, over 60 political prisoners remain behind bars.

"Participation in elections under these conditions does not seem logical," she said. "We see daily that the courts lack credibility. If this judicial system remains unchanged, no one can expect a fair resolution to electoral disputes."

Zourabichvili emphasized that her comments reflected her personal views and not the official stance of the “resistance movement,” which she leads.

She also voiced concern over recent government measures “affecting the media,” alleging that new laws adopted by the ruling Georgian Dream party subjected outlets to punitive fines and the potential revocation of broadcasting licenses.

"The media is an essential part of any democratic election," she said. "But in Georgia today, the space for independent journalism is shrinking, and the situation is deteriorating day by day."

Zourabichvili further criticized a newly passed law on election observation, claiming it restricted the rights of monitors and will hinder transparency.

"International observers rarely monitor local elections, and now, with further restrictions, there will be little meaningful oversight. Under these conditions, I don’t see how participating in elections can bring victory - it risks only deepening disillusionment."