Georgian Parliament Speaker: Georgian Dream’s victory unrivalled as opposition faces consequences of radicalisation

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Saturday said that even according to the opposition’s own surveys, the ruling Georgian Dream party remains unmatched in the ongoing local elections.

Speaking to the media after casting his vote, Papuashvili noted that the opposition was aware of and had already come to terms with this reality.

“According to their own poll, Kakha Kaladze [Tbilisi Mayor] enjoys over 60% public support. I think the opposition itself knows and has accepted this fact. We said that our electoral goal is to win the mayoral elections in all 64 municipalities in the first round and secure a majority in the local councils [Sakrebulo]. However, it is, of course, important that 12 parties participate in the elections, and I wish them all success in securing their opposition mandates”, he said.

The Speaker further added that the opposition had “turned its back on democracy” and chosen a path of radicalisation, which, he said, explains their current political situation.

“As for the results, the radical opposition has only itself to blame. They chose to turn away from democracy and pursue radicalization and extremism - as instructed from outside - and now they are facing the consequences of the radicalism they themselves created last year”, he concluded.

Local self-government elections are taking place in Georgia, with citizens voting to elect municipal council members and mayors for a four-year term.

Georgians are casting their ballots to select representatives to 64 local councils (Sakrebulo) and 64 mayors across the country.