Georgia’s ruling party unveils top 20 candidates for election list, Honorary Chair Ivanishvili leads

The ruling Georgian Dream party on Tuesday unveiled its top 20 candidates for the upcoming October 26 general elections, with Bidzina Ivanishvili, the party's Honorary Chair and founder, leading the list.

The list also features key political figures, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, GD Chair and former PM Irakli Garibashvili, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, GD Executive Secretary Mamuka Mdinaradze, Culture Minister Thea Tsulukiani, and Deputy Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili. Also included are senior MPs Maka Botchorishvili, Anri Okhanashvili, and Nikoloz Samkharadze.

Lasha Talakhadze, a three-time Olympic champion and seven-time world and European champion in weightlifting, and Geno Petriashvili, a Georgian heavyweight freestyle wrestler who holds Olympic, world, and European titles, also appeared on the list.

MPs Sozar Subari and Mikheil Kavelashvili, the founders of the People's Power political party who still remain in the Parliamentary majority, were listed.

The ruling party also named several other figures in the list, including Vakhtang Turnava, Eka Chichinadze, Shota Berekashvili, Levan Makhashvili, Giorgi Gabunia, and Lika Shartava.

Addressing the public, PM Kobakhidze emphasised the diversity of the candidates and the importance of the election, framing it as a “decisive moment” for the nation’s future.

 This is not just an election but a referendum. The people must choose between war or peace, moral degeneration or traditional values, a dark past or a bright, European future”, he stressed. 

The top official also praised Ivanishvili for his role in "saving the country" from the previous United National Movement's "dictatorial regime."