Levan Khabeishvili, head of UNM’s political council. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–The “Stay Home” campaign, spearheaded by Levan Khabeishvili, chairman of the United National Movement’s (UNM) political council, aims to delegitimize the vote by urging voters not to take part.

Khabeishvili argues that participation would legitimize the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, which he accuses of authoritarianism under billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili’s influence.

But other opposition groups, including “Strategy Aghmashenebeli” and “Lelo” reject the boycott, warning it would hand GD a sweeping victory.

Analysts like Gia Abashidze predict the boycott will backfire, leaving Georgian Dream unchallenged in local councils. Constitutionalist Vakhtang Khmaladze warns that even a minimal turnout would validate the elections, potentially locking the opposition out of power until 2028.