**Georgian Opposition Leader Gigi Ugulava Warns of “Trap” in Local Elections**
As the situation in Georgia continues to unfold, opposition politician Gigi Ugulava has written an open letter to his colleagues, expressing concerns that the ruling party, Georgian Dream, is trying to lure them into local elections as a trap. In a post on Facebook, Ugulava emphasized the need for a unified position and proposed several conditions under which opposition parties could consider participating in the elections.
**A Complex Roadmap**
Ugulava believes that Georgian Dream views the local elections as an opportunity to discredit the opposition and maintain its grip on power. He argues that participation in these elections would only serve to legitimize the regime, making it even more difficult for the opposition to challenge them in the future. Instead, Ugulava proposes a “roadmap” – a set of conditions that would need to be met before the opposition could consider participating in the elections.
**Conditions for Participation**
The proposed conditions include:
* The release of all political prisoners, including former President Mikheil Saakashvili
* The abolition of laws that have been used to suppress the opposition and limit civil liberties
* A plebiscite on holding new parliamentary elections on December 27, 2025 (with the option for a different date)
* If “Yes” wins in the plebiscite, the existing government would resign, and a technical transitional government would be approved to hold new elections
**A Need for Discussion**
Ugulava emphasizes that these conditions are not set in stone and can be modified through discussion. He calls on all interested parties – political parties, President Zurabishvili, public groups, and movements – to come together and discuss this complex roadmap.
**Facing the Dream Directly**
In a separate comment, Ugulava touches on the need for mediation and negotiation in resolving the current crisis. While some may be opposed to involving international mediators like Charles Michel or others, Ugulava believes that direct talks between the opposition and Georgian Dream could be necessary to resolve the situation.
**A Call to Unity**
Ugulava’s letter serves as a call to unity among the opposition, emphasizing the need for a clear position on this complex issue. By working together, he believes that they can avoid being dragged into a trap set by Georgian Dream and instead push for meaningful reforms and democratic progress in Georgia.
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