**Georgia’s Ruling Party to Nominate Incumbent Tbilisi Mayor for Third Term**
The ruling Georgian Dream party is set to nominate incumbent Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze to seek a third term in the upcoming local elections, scheduled for October 4. The move comes as many opposition parties are boycotting the election in protest.
According to a Facebook post by the Georgian Dream party, Kaladze’s nomination will take place on July 31. Kaladze, a former football player and energy minister, has served as Tbilisi’s mayor since 2017. If re-elected for the third time, he would retain the post until 2029.
However, Kaladze’s nomination is not without controversy. The opposition has accused him of negligence in preventing tragic incidents in the city, such as a roof collapse at a market that killed two people. Additionally, dozens of families were forcibly evicted from Tbilisi’s Africa Settlement last week, leading to public backlash.
**Opposition Boycotts Election**
Nine opposition parties have pledged to boycott the upcoming election, arguing that participation would only help Georgian Dream legitimize its hold on power. They see non-cooperation as the only viable way to resist the party, which has ruled since 2012 and intensified its crackdown on dissent after abandoning the country’s EU path.
However, two major opposition forces, Lelo/Strong Georgia and For Georgia, are participating in the election, viewing it as a chance to challenge Georgian Dream. They have signed a memorandum of cooperation, pledging to try to agree on joint mayoral candidates.
**Speculation Over Kaladze’s Successor**
Some pro-government media have speculated that Aleko Elisashvili, leader of the Citizens party, will be the common candidate for Tbilisi mayor between Lelo and For Georgia. However, neither party has confirmed this, and no official nomination has been made yet.
**What to Expect from the Elections?**
The upcoming local elections are expected to be highly uneven, with Georgian Dream likely to dominate the vote. The opposition’s boycott will only add to the legitimacy issues surrounding the election. As the country continues to grapple with corruption and authoritarianism, it remains to be seen whether these elections will bring about any meaningful change.
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