New opposition unity calls on pro-western parties to name joint candidate for local elections

Four opposition parties have called on the pro-western opposition, civil organizations and active members of society to present joint candidates for the upcoming local elections as this will grow the opposition’s chances to defeat the candidates of the Georgian Dream ruling party.

The new opposition unity of New Georgia, New Unity Georgia, European Democrats and Civil Alliance-Freedom initiated a primary election between the opposition nominees for mayoral and City Council  positions before the local elections take place at the end of October.

It will be extremely hard for separate opposition parties to defeat the ruling party’s candidates. We need unity in the fight and consolidation of our forces. Our aim is not to lose any vote for the opposition parties,” the parties state. 

They claim the local elections are a chance for the opposition parties to replace the "non-formal ruling” of the country by Georgia’s ex-Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili.