Ruling Party Sec-Gen “sceptical” over "destroyed" opposition's election protests

Kakha Kaladze, the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party and the Mayor of Tbilisi, on Monday expressed scepticism over a planned protests of the domestic opposition against the results of the October 26 parliamentary elections, calling them “destroyed”. 

The comments came after opposition parties announced plans for the rally on central Rustaveli Avenue in capital Tbilisi later on Monday, following their refusal to take up seats in the Parliament and accusations of the Georgian Dream authorities’ “rigging” the vote. 

Look at them - they are in disarray. What kind of protest should [opposition leader [Nika] Gvaramia or [Mamuka] Khazaradze create?” Kaladze asked, dismissing the opposition's strategy as “nonsensical”. 

The official claimed the opposition's attempts to rally voters were “misguided”, suggesting they were “relying on unfounded narratives rather than addressing the electorate's concerns”.

In contrast, Kaladze highlighted the ruling party's support, saying “1,200,000 supported a decent future of the country, peace, and its European future” in the elections, while urging the opposition to “take responsibility for their election loss instead of blaming others”. 

According to final results from the Central Election Commission, the GD secured 53.9 percent of the vote, followed by the Coalition for Change with 11 percent, Unity to Save Georgia with 10.1 percent, Strong Georgia with 8.8 percent, and Gakharia for Georgia with 7.7 percent.