Georgian Parliament official: opposition’s weak agenda leads to candidate shortage in upcoming local self-government elections

David Matikashvili, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on Procedural Issues and Rules, on Friday criticised the opposition coalition of Lelo and Gakharia for Georgia for their inability to field candidates in numerous electoral districts for the upcoming local self-government elections scheduled for October 4.

Commenting on reports that the coalition failed to nominate candidates in 44 out of 64 electoral districts, Matikashvili argued that the opposition struggles to find suitable contenders.

“The weakest political reality and an agenda that offers nothing - this is the real reason why the radical opposition lacks a sufficient number of candidates”, Matikashvili said.

“They are unable to find suitable candidates to present to the public. The candidates they have managed to put forward are absolutely politically ineffective - they are already in a losing position before the elections have even begun”, he concluded.