**Georgia’s Opposition Coalition Announces Participation in Local Elections**
In a move that has sparked controversy among Georgian opposition parties, the Strong Georgia coalition, led by the Lelo for Georgia party, has announced its decision to participate in the upcoming local elections on October 4. This development comes amidst growing tensions between the opposition and the ruling Georgian Dream party.
According to a statement released by Strong Georgia, the coalition sees the October 4 elections as an opportunity to “fight against de facto authorities” and resist what it calls a dictatorship and Russian regime. The announcement has been met with dissent from three members of Lelo’s Political Council, who have stepped down in protest but will remain party members.
The opposition’s decision to participate in the elections has been welcomed by some, including President Mikheil Kavelashvili of Georgian Dream, who recently announced that he was ready to pardon jailed political leaders if they pledged to run in the October elections. However, Strong Georgia has dismissed this offer as a “political maneuver” intended to obstruct their plans.
**Leaders in Jail**
Two leaders of the coalition, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, are among eight persons currently in jail after being sentenced to months in prison for defying summonses from the Tsulukiani Commission, a body set up by Georgian Dream’s one-party parliament to investigate alleged crimes by former officials. Strong Georgia sees this move as an attempt to silence opposition voices and prevent them from participating in the elections.
**Previous Pledge**
Earlier this year, eight opposition parties had pledged to boycott the local elections, describing them as a “facade” amid growing crackdown on dissent. The For Georgia party, led by ex-Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, has also expressed determination to run in the upcoming local elections, although an official announcement is yet to be made.
**Background**
The Strong Georgia coalition was formed ahead of the disputed 2024 parliamentary elections to boost the chances of surpassing the 5% threshold in the first fully proportional vote. The coalition united four political forces but saw two parties, Freedom Square and Anna Dolidze’s For People, quit the alliance after the elections.
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