Georgia’s local self-government elections sparked strong political statements as leaders from both the ruling party and opposition cast their votes, urging citizens to participate actively in shaping the country’s future.
Prime Minister and chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Irakli Kobakhidze, expressed confidence in a sweeping victory for his party and its mayoral candidates.
“According to our research, the party should get more than 60% of the vote across the country. As for the mayoral candidate in the capital, I think our candidate will get much more than 60%,” Kobakhidze said, adding that he expects a “very solid majority” in both Tbilisi and all 64 municipalities.
Kobakhidze also touched on voter turnout, noting that while municipal elections traditionally see lower participation, turnout this year was higher despite parts of the opposition calling for a boycott.
Opposition leader and co-founder of Lelo for Georgia, Badri Japaridze, said his vote symbolized a push for change and public empowerment.
“It is necessary for us to be active now. Without activity, not giving up and perseverance, changes will not come,” Japaridze stated. He called on citizens to use their vote as their “most effective weapon” to reclaim their cities and country.
He also addressed election integrity, warning that attempts at manipulation were likely. “All violations must be recorded… there will be attempts at machinations, this is characteristic of the current government,” Japaridze said.
Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili, voting in Tbilisi’s Saburtalo district, expressed her support for the ruling party’s mayoral candidate.
“I voted for the future mayor of the capital, the unopposed candidate. Accordingly, I voted for the peaceful and stable development of our country,” she told journalists, emphasizing her belief that Georgian society would make a “wise choice” for prosperity and peace.
Georgian Dream President Mikheil Kavelashvili echoed the government’s message of stability and progress.
“On one side there is peace, development, stability. Unfortunately, on the other side there is chaos, confrontation, polarization,” he said, arguing that voters would face little difficulty in making their choice. He thanked citizens for participating in the elections “regardless of political views.”
Another leader of Lelo for Georgia, Mamuka Khazaradze, framed his vote as a stand against corruption and authoritarianism.
“It is very important that our citizens… not give their vote to the force that has deprived the country of a free, European choice,” Khazaradze stated. He urged voters to resist potential falsification of results by participating en masse, comparing the moment to past turning points in Georgia’s political history.
“Everything has a limit. If voters actively participate in the elections, this is a guarantee of what happened in 2012, 2003, and other years when our voters were active,” he said.
