Two Georgian opposition groups appeal to election administration to revoke party lists, suspend MPs’ status

The Strong Georgia Coalition and the Coalition for Change, two of the opposition groups that surpassed the election threshold in last month’s general elections, have formally appealed to Georgia’s Central Election Commission this week to revoke their party lists and suspend the status of their newly elected members of the Parliament in protest of what they have described as a "rigged vote”. 

In press briefings on Monday and Tuesday, both opposition groups condemned the elections as a “Russian special operation”, accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party of “stealing the vote through various methods of manipulation”. 

Giorgi Vashadze, the leader of the Unity-National Movement, one of the four opposition groups to win parliamentary mandates, claimed on Monday he had also sent an official request to the Georgian Parliament to suspend his MP status and claimed other party members intended to follow suit.

Beka Liluashvili, a member of the Gakharia for Georgia opposition, said on Tuesday his party would decide on its party lists “at its discretion, and not under the influence” of the Unity-National Movement or the Georgian Dream. 

He further reiterated his party's stance that its members would “not legitimise” the 11th Parliament, adding the decision “remains unchanged for now”. 

Nika Melia, the leader of the Coalition for Change, also spoke on Tuesday, calling for unity among opposition groups to leave the GD isolated in the legislative body. 

The most important thing at this stage is to leave the GD alone in the so-called Parliament and not focus on finding faults within the opposition”, he said. 

He further highlighted the importance of "coordinated action”, including “continued non-recognition” of the Parliament by the international community and a “complete withdrawal of opposition mandates and electoral lists”. 

If we must demand anything from the opposition today, it is this to delegitimise the current Parliament and pave the way for new elections”, he added.

The final results of the October 26 elections showed that GD had secured 53.93 percent of the vote, winning 89 seats. 

The Coalition for Change received 11.03 percent, earning 19 seats, Unity - National Movement garnered 10.17 percent, securing 16 seats, Strong Georgia obtained 8.81 percent, winning 14 seats, and Gakharia for Georgia gained 7.78 percent, with 12 seats.

The GD has labelled the opposition as “foreign-influenced” and asserted the new Parliament did not require their legitimacy, as it had “already been legitimised by the Georgian people”.