Ex-President Margvelashvili joins opposition coalition ahead of elections

Former Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili has joined the opposition Strong Georgia coalition ahead of the country’s Parliamentary elections on October 26. 

Mamuka Khazaradze, the leader of the opposition Lelo party from the coalition, announced the news during a campaign event in the central city of Gori on Wednesday, describing the former official as a “patriot, a man of integrity, and, above all, a relentless advocate for a free and strong Georgia”. 

Margvelashvili, who served as the President from 2013 to 2018, claimed that while he did not intend to engage in legislative duties, he remained “committed” to supporting the opposition’s cause. 

I do not see myself involved in parliamentary activities, but I will take part in this fight and continue to stand with the Georgian people in rebuilding our country," he said during his address.

The Strong Georgia coalition is composed of several opposition parties, including Lelo, the For People party, the Freedom Square movement, and Aleko Elisashvili from the Citizens party. The alliance is positioning itself as a “strong alternative” to the ruling Georgian Dream party in the upcoming vote. 

Recent consultations for potential unity between the Strong Georgia coalition and the Gakharia for Georgia opposition party failed earlier this month.