**Opposition Leader Urges Protesters to Boycott Elections, Refrain from Participating in “Circus”**
As the local self-government elections draw near, one of Georgia’s opposition leaders, Zurab Girchi Japaridze, has issued a call to action for protesters to maintain their resistance and refuse to participate in what he describes as a “circus”. In a letter posted on his Facebook page, Japaridze reiterates his stance against participating in the elections, which he believes will be a major mistake.
**No Unity Among Opposition Factions**
Japaridze highlights that there can be no unified neutral candidates without unity among opposition factions. He emphasizes that different strategies and lack of unity make it impossible to achieve this goal. The opposition leader also dismisses the documents signed by other opposition leaders, Kavelashvili and Tsulukiani, as “garbage” and “clowns”. These attempts at unifying the opposition are, in Japaridze’s view, nothing more than a ploy to legitimize the elections.
**No Victory for Opposition**
Japaridze is adamant that there will be no victory for the opposition in these elections. He points out that it is strategically important for the regime to maintain power and that elections are not a suitable means of achieving this goal, especially when turnout is low and the numbers can be manipulated by the authorities.
**A Predictable Outcome**
Japaridze predicts a predictable outcome: a series of media spectacles featuring politicians on the streets and meeting party members in the regions. The opposition leader expects that there will be some poor council seats won, but also anticipates that these parties will receive fewer votes than they did in October 2019.
**A Divided Opposition**
The letter highlights potential problems within the opposition ranks: increased distrust among political players and difficulties in external communication due to divided positions on an important issue. Japaridze warns of propaganda by the regime and participating parties claiming that a significant part of the opposition has recognized the legitimacy of this parliament, because it participated in the elections appointed by the president.
**The Russian Regime’s Reaction**
Finally, Japaridze points out that from October 5 onwards, the Russian regime will likely launch a propaganda campaign claiming that the pro-Western opposition has been dispersed. This, he believes, is already being prepared and will be used to boost the numbers of the ruling party.
**The Call to Action**
In conclusion, Japaridze urges protesters to maintain their resistance in the summer and refuse to participate in what he calls a “circus” on October 4. The outcome from October 5 onwards remains unclear, but Japaridze is adamant that the task at hand is to maintain the protest and boycott the elections.
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