Three opposition parties to nominate joint majoritarian candidates in Tbilisi for upcoming local elections
Opposition Leader Bokeria also underscored that the full power should not be concentrated within a single political party, noting that ‘it is a key part’ of their agreement. Photo: Elene Zakashvili/On.ge.
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The European Georgia, Girchi - More Freedom and Movement Droa will nominate joint majoritarian candidates in Georgia’s capital of Tbilisi for the upcoming October 2 local municipal elections on August 15.
Droa movement Leader Elene Khoshtaria stated that the municipal elections are ‘special elections, which is essentially a referendum,’ noting that the opposition understands its responsibility before the Georgian population to propose the choice which will ‘give them [Georgian citizens] faith.’
Libertarian Leader of Girchi - More Freedom Zurab Japaridze also stressed the importance of forthcoming elections and noted that ‘these elections ultimately decide a lot.’
This election resolves the issue of this government’s legitimacy…We agreed not to compete with each other and to support each other's [Opposition’s] candidates,” Japaridze said.
The largest opposition political party United National Movement (UNM) will also support the joint majoritarian candidates nominated in Tbilisi, Leader of the European Georgia Giga Bokeria announced.
Bokeria also underscored that the full power should not be concentrated within a single political party, noting that ‘it is a key part’ of their agreement.
He also expressed the hope to reach an agreement over the joint majoritarian candidates in other regions of Georgia as well.
Our historic choice is to protect the independence and sovereignty of this country from an external enemy. However inside the country personal freedom of all our citizens should be protected as well,” Bokeria stated.
In late July the ruling Georgian Dream party decided to back out of the April 19 EU-mediated agreement which resolved the months of the political standoff in the country caused by parliamentary elections 2020 and proposed fundamental electoral and judicial reforms.
Per the agreement the Georgian Dream had to hold a snap election if it received less than 43 per cent of votes on the upcoming municipal elections however Head of the ruling party Irakli Kobakhidze noted that holding the local elections under the EU-mediated agreement while opposition parties refuse to sign it would be ‘harmful to Georgia’s interests.’
US Embassy in Georgia and the international community criticised the Georgian government’s withdrawal from the agreement and called on all political parties to work together for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration.