Latest news with #Lelo–StrongGeorgia
JAMnews
14 hours ago
- Politics
- JAMnews
'Lelo - Strong Georgia' joins elections; rest of opposition slams move, calls for boycott
Georgia: Lelo runs in elections, opposition criticizes The first open statement from the Georgian opposition confirming participation in the October 4 municipal elections has been made. On July 5, Irakli Kupradze, a leader of the 'Lelo – Strong Georgia' coalition, announced at a special briefing: 'By taking part in these elections, we're entering another major battlefield against dictatorship and the Russian regime in Georgia.' Several other opposition parties and coalitions immediately responded, calling the decision 'highly regrettable.' The upcoming municipal elections have deepened Georgia's political tensions, already marked by sharp confrontation between the ruling Georgian Dream and the opposition. This time, the rift has emerged within the opposition itself. The question of whether to participate in the elections has also split pro-Western civil society, sparking intense debate. Eight opposition parties have declared a boycott, arguing that participation won't bring real political results because, in their words, 'Georgian Dream' has seized power at all levels, is carrying out political repression, and actively dismantling civil society and independent media. 'Opposition participation under these conditions would only help normalize the regime,' boycott supporters say. Three opposition parties take a different stance, seeing the elections as an opportunity to rally supporters, defend their positions, and challenge Georgian Dream. Mamuka Khazaradze, the jailed leader of 'Strong Georgia,' has called for opposition unity in the elections to prevent Georgian Dream from fully entrenching itself at all levels. Parties and coalitions boycotting the elections: United National Movement, Federalists, Liberty Square, European Georgia, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, Droa, Akhali, Girchi – More Freedom. Parties supporting participation: Lelo – Strong Georgia, Gakharia – For Georgia, Girchi (led by Iago Khvichia). Should Georgian opposition participate in 2025 municipal elections? So far, the opposition has not expressed a unified position regarding participation in the local elections. What 'Lelo – Strong Georgia' says 'We have our own plan, our own path that serves the interests of the people, and no one – especially Georgian Dream – can knock us off that path. Uncompromising, tireless struggle is the only way we can stand up to [oligarch and Georgian Dream founder] Bidzina Ivanishvili and the Russian regime in Georgia. We choose to fight on this front too. It's a crime to call these elections 'local.' This is a real election, and we will fight a real government. This fight will continue until the end – until victory,' said Irakli Kupradze, secretary general of the 'Lelo – Strong Georgia' alliance. Two leaders of the Strong Georgia coalition – Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze – have been sentenced to eight months in prison for refusing to cooperate with a parliamentary commission set up by Georgian Dream to investigate the previous government under president Mikheil Saakashvili. Altogether, six opposition leaders are currently imprisoned for similar reasons, with several others under arrest and awaiting verdicts. Other opposition forces have sharply criticized Lelo's decision, calling it 'moral death' for the party Tina Bokuchava Tina Bokuchava, leader of the Unity–United National Movement alliance: 'This is very sad. Deeply. Instead of resistance and struggle, Lelo chose compromise and cooperation with the regime. Let's call this decision what it is: a betrayal of our shared struggle. This is not a fight to save the country – this is a deal with the regime in exchange for an honorable second place. I wouldn't be surprised if Mikheil Kavelashvili (the Georgian Dream-backed president) now pardons Lelo's imprisoned leaders even without a request. That's a well-known Russian tactic – push for a morally rotten compromise and then expose it in the most cynical and brutal way. Today we witnessed Lelo's moral death. Politics cannot survive without moral grounding. In October, we'll see their electoral death as well. Freedom to political prisoners! In the end, we will win!' Bokuchava is referring to the July 4 statement by Mikheil Kavelashvili, who offered to pardon jailed opposition leaders if they ask for it and commit to participating in the upcoming local elections. Kavelashvili said he believes all opposition parties should take part and run full campaigns. Elene Khoshtaria Elene Khoshtaria, one of the leaders of the 'Coalition for Change': 'Lelo got four percent in the parliamentary elections—what can they do with that level of support? They certainly won't decide Georgia's future. Whether they're weak or traitors, history will judge. We have a lot of work to do, and we'll get it done. Ivanishvili couldn't break this country with all his money, and that's honestly laughable.' Levan Tsutskiridze, The political party 'Freedom Square' The political party 'Freedom Square': 'We disagree with Lelo – Strong Georgia's decision to participate in the so-called elections. It is their choice, but it poses a political risk for the entire opposition. Despite this, we do not intend to spend the coming months fighting internal opposition battles. Our main target is the Russian-backed party Georgian Dream. Freedom Square will focus on organizing an active boycott and promoting an alternative, democratic, and inclusive political process.' Tamar Chergoleishvili Tamar Chergoleishvili, leader of the Federalists party: 'The goal of our campaign to not recognize the regime will target not only the regime itself but also its accomplices. We will not allow our voters to be intellectually insulted. We will focus on everything that is wrong.' News in Georgia Georgia: Lelo runs in elections, opposition criticizes
JAMnews
2 days ago
- Politics
- JAMnews
Georgian Dream president ready to pardon jailed opposition if they request it and pledge to join the elections
Georgian Dream offered pardons to opposition Mikheil Kavelashvili, the president from Georgian Dream, stated that if imprisoned opposition leaders ask him for a pardon and confirm in the same request their intention to take part in the municipal elections in October, he will grant them a pardon. 'It is important that all opposition parties take part in the local elections and run a full campaign,' Kavelashvili said in the same statement. What Mikheil Kavelashvili stated: 'Several leaders of political parties are currently serving sentences in accordance with Georgian law. I propose that all of them submit a request for a pardon to me and confirm in the same statement their intention to participate in the elections. If such a request is received, I will immediately issue a pardon for the individuals concerned. Exactly three months from now, on October 4, 2025, local self-government elections will be held, during which the people of Georgia will elect mayors and city councils in 64 municipalities. It is important that all political parties registered in accordance with Georgian law and willing to participate in the elections fully engage in the electoral process. It is also important that all political parties have the opportunity to conduct a full election campaign,' the statement reads. The opposition responds with a refusal Secretary General of Lelo – Strong Georgia, Irakli Kupradze: 'Due to prison regulations, I wasn't able to learn the opinion of the leaders directly, but I can confidently say that Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze will not submit a request for a pardon. As secretary general of Lelo and their friend, I know the values they live by, the principles and dignity with which they defend the interests of the Georgian people, and their belief in victory. I believe I speak for them when I say: there will be no pardon request to an illegitimate president. We will show him the way – to the Russian ship.' The Coalition for Change announced that its imprisoned leaders also have no intention of requesting a pardon from Kavelashvili. It also stressed that the coalition will not participate in the municipal elections. 'By drawing opposition parties into these elections, Georgian Dream is trying to legitimize itself and is using imprisoned leaders as bargaining chips. Through its so-called president, the regime has confirmed that it needs the participation of pro-Western forces in a fake, criminal process called 'municipal elections,' because it is their only way to save themselves. To delay change, they are ready to strike any deal. With this proposal, the regime has admitted that political leaders were unjustly imprisoned—only because they refused to recognize the results of the rigged parliamentary elections and the legitimacy of the regime. Our position remains unchanged: at no stage will we cooperate with the regime or give it any legitimacy. The path to victory lies in non-cooperation and resistance. Until the end!' the statement said. Tina Bokuchava, leader of the party United National Movement: 'Mikheil Kavelashvili's statement proves that the Ivanishvili regime sees its only chance for survival in recognition and legitimization. I am convinced that this statement was written for Kavelashvili by other servants of Ivanishvili [the oligarch and honorary chairman of Georgian Dream]. I also firmly believe that no pardon is being offered to former president Mikheil Saakashvili, who is currently imprisoned.' On June 23, the court sentenced three opposition leaders to prison: Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze (leaders of Lelo – Strong Georgia), and Zurab Girchi Japaridze (one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change). On June 24, the court found Giorgi Vashadze, leader of the Strategy Agmashenebeli party, guilty of failing to comply with a temporary investigative commission created by the Georgian Dream parliament and sentenced him to seven months in prison. He was also banned from holding public office for two years. On July 1, Nika Gvaramia (one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change) was sentenced to eight months in prison. On July 5, former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili was sentenced to eight months in prison. They are all accused of refusing to appear before the same commission, called the 'Temporary Investigative Commission of the Parliament of Georgia on the Investigation of the Regime and Political Figures of the 2003–2012 Period,' referring to the presidency of Mikheil Saakashvili. Georgian Dream announced the creation of this commission on January 9, 2025. According to faction leader Mamuka Mdinaradze, the commission will work for six months and prepare a report to be discussed and approved during the first week of the September parliamentary session. News in Georgia
