
TBILISI, DFWatch–The opposition party “Lelo for Strong Georgia” has announced its decision to participate in the October 4 local elections, splitting from a bloc of parties calling for an electoral boycott.
The announcement came days after President Mikheil Kavelashvili offered to pardon jailed opposition leaders, including Lelo founders Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, if they participated in the elections.
The timing of the decision has raised questions and drawn both internal dissent and sharp rebukes from former allies, while also reviving talk of a potential alliance with former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia’s party.
Lelo’s general secretary, Irakli Kupradze, framed the decision as a direct confrontation with what he called Georgia’s “Russian regime,” declaring that the elections represent a battleground for democracy rather than mere municipal contests. He extended an invitation to other pro-Western opposition forces for coordinated, coalition-based resistance.
Several Lelo members resigned in protest, and the party’s previous coalition partners have distanced themselves. Critics, including prominent figures from the opposition National Movement, labeled the move a betrayal that legitimizes the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party.
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