Ruling party evaluates win as ‘overwhelming,’ while opposition remains uncertain

The Georgian Dream ruling party has stated that they have won an “overwhelming” victory in yesterday’s by-elections, while opposition leaders have made different statements, contradicting one another.

The mayoral candidate of the united opposition in Zugdidi, western Georgia, former first lady Sandra Roelofs spoke about a revolutionary scenario, claiming that she ‘won the elections.’

One of the leaders of the United National Movement [Roelofs belongs to] however, said that speaking about a revolution, “when it is hard to carry out such plans, brings our supporters to desperation.”

Melia said that making such “hasty statements” was not right.

After the announcement of the final results of the elections, fellow member of the UNM Khatia Dekanoidze said that Roelofs “meant more communication with people, as the fabrication of the elections does not start on the election day.”

Members of the ruling party say that there is a confrontation inside the opposition.

The UNM cannot live without destructive actions. Now they have an internal confrontation on who is more or less destructive. Georgian people showed them clearly yesterday that they have no chances in the country to be in power,” the Georgian Dream MP Mamuka Mdinaradze said.

Political Secretary of the ruling party, former PM Irakli Garibashvili urged Roelofs to “look after your husband [third President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili ] and have a rest, while we will look after the country.”

Local NGOs stated that yesterday’s by-elections in Tbilisi and regions were conducted without major violations.