(Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Mamuka Khazaradze, founder of the opposition party Lelo, calls for a unified opposition front in the upcoming local elections in the capital, Tbilisi, aiming to challenge the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party.

A recent opinion polls showed that the around two thirds of Tbilisians would support the opposition, but due to the internal disagreements among them, GD is likely to still secure a win in the opposition stronghold.

Khazaradze, who announced the initiative through social media, urged the diverse opposition groups to rally behind a single candidate and shared electoral list for the October 4 vote. Framing the campaign as a “de-occupation” of the country (a reference to the two breakaway regions) starting from the capital, Khazaradze proposed forming a non-partisan platform—dubbed the “Tbilisi Civic Headquarters”—to select independent candidates and unite opposition resources.

“Tbilisi must become the stronghold of resistance,” he wrote, adding that the movement should represent a broad civic protest against what he called a Russian-style regime.

While Khazaradze’s proposal has yet to receive endorsements from other opposition parties, it comes while the opposition remains fragmented. Two major opposition blocs have declared a boycott of the vote, citing distrust in electoral fairness, while others remain undecided or plan to run independently. Former President Salome Zourabichvili, who plays a key role, supports the boycott.

An opposition win in the capital would be symbolically and strategically significant, but not unexpected. In the 2024 parliamentary elections, the GD party won just over 42% of the vote in Tbilisi—its weakest result nationally—while four opposition groups collectively secured more than 46%. However, Georgia’s mixed electoral system and GD’s strong performance in regional areas give the ruling party a structural advantage.

GD dismissed Khazaradze’s call as a bid to trigger local crises rather than take responsibility. Political analysts see potential for an opposition upset if they can join forces, but some doubt such coordination is realistic.