**Georgian Opposition Leaders Slam Upcoming Local Elections as “Staged Performance”**
In a recent statement, Zurab Japaridze, one of the leaders of the “Coalition for Change,” has expressed strong opposition to the upcoming local elections in Georgia. Japaridze believes that the elections, scheduled for October, will be nothing more than a “spectacle staged by the regime” and not a genuine electoral process.
According to Japaridze, the ruling party, Georgian Dream, plans to use the local elections to create the illusion of a competitive and multi-party election process. He argues that participating in these elections would amount to helping the ruling party, rather than promoting democracy and fairness. “In my opinion, participating in it would mean helping the regime, trying to paint a picture of a multi-party, competitive election — as if elections actually exist in this country,” Japaridze said.
This criticism is shared by other opposition leaders, including Nika Melia, who recently called on parties to give a clear answer about their participation in the local self-government elections. “The time of political ambiguity and vagueness is over,” Melia stated. “It is time to answer all questions — what are they doing? Are they entering the farce called local elections or not?”
**A Staged Performance?**
Japaridze’s comments highlight concerns that the upcoming elections will be nothing more than a staged performance, designed to maintain the illusion of democracy in Georgia. The country has faced criticism for its electoral process in the past, with some arguing that previous elections have been rigged or manipulated by the ruling party.
In 2018, opposition parties won a majority of seats in parliament, but the results were disputed and led to widespread protests. Since then, tensions between the government and opposition have continued to escalate.
**A Clear Answer Needed**
The statement from Japaridze and other opposition leaders has sparked calls for clarity on the issue. As Melia pointed out, the time for ambiguity is over, and parties must take a clear stance on their participation in the local elections.
The outcome of this decision will have significant implications for Georgia’s electoral landscape and the ongoing power struggle between the government and opposition.
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