**Election Participation: A Delicate Balance**
In Georgia, the debate over participating in local elections has reached a boiling point. The European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee recently released a report highlighting the importance of these elections as a test of democracy and political pluralism. However, many are questioning the legitimacy of these polls due to alleged rigging and bias.
Nugzar Tsiklauri, a leader of the “Coalition for Change,” expressed his skepticism on Palitra News’ program “Day’s Newsroom.” He pointed out that if elections are indeed rigged, then participating makes no sense. With two leaders of one party already arrested and over 50 political prisoners, Tsiklauri sees this as an attempt to silence the opposition.
**A Questionable Alliance**
Tsiklauri also commented on the position of “Lelo – Strong Georgia” regarding the local self-government elections. He believes that this party has developed a desire to start cooperating with Ivanishvili’s regime, which he thinks is a bad move. Tsiklauri appealed to “Lelo”: “Don’t stubbornly persist in a mistake.” If they start operating according to Ivanishvili’s system, both Ivanishvili and the opposition will end up with one result – a regression for Georgian society.
**A Shift in Tactics**
The opposition was initially divided over participating in the local elections. Some argued that it was too early to make a decision, while others demanded national parliamentary elections as a prerequisite. However, after the arrests of Zurab Japaridze and Nika Melia, “Lelo” suddenly changed its stance, suggesting cooperation with Ivanishvili’s regime.
Tsiklauri views this shift in tactics as a mistake. He notes that even on social media, only about 1% of comments support participation in Ivanishvili’s elections. This is not a call to action for “Lelo,” but rather an appeal to reconsider their decision and prioritize the interests of Georgian society.
**A Threat to Democracy**
Representatives of the “Georgian Dream” party have made statements claiming that democracy flourishes in Iran and China while Europe is a citadel of democracy and human rights. Tsiklauri finds these comments odious, unacceptable, and financially motivated. He emphasizes that for 2-3 years, there have been clear attacks on European partners, and “Georgian Dream” represents an anti-civilizational force that will not carry out democratic processes if they threaten its power.
In conclusion, the debate over participating in local elections has reached a critical point in Georgia. With the opposition divided and “Lelo” considering cooperation with Ivanishvili’s regime, the future of democracy hangs in the balance. As Tsiklauri emphasized: “Don’t stubbornly persist in a mistake.”
Read More @ www.interpressnews.ge
