Tbilisi Mayor stresses sovereignty, calls for continued development ahead of upcoming local elections

Kakha Kaladze, the incumbent mayor of Tbilisi and the mayoral candidate of the ruling party Georgian Dream party, on Sunday met with residents of the Gldani district as part of his pre-election campaign ahead of the upcoming local elections scheduled for Saturday.

Addressing the audience, Kaladze called on voters to support the party’s majoritarian candidates for the City Council, emphasising that projects initiated by the ruling team would continue over the next four years and underscoring the importance of long-term peace for the capital’s development.

“We all agree that without peace, the development of our capital is impossible. The attacks, slander, and threats we hear daily from outside are very harsh and unpleasant, but through our daily actions, steps, and policies implemented by the Georgian Dream, we are protecting our country, its future, independence, and sovereignty. Achieving independence and freedom was not easy - previous generations fought and shed blood for it”, the Mayor said.

“Today, it is our duty to preserve this legacy through our daily efforts. No one will be allowed to lecture the Georgian people or speak to Georgia with a wagging finger. We need friends and partners, and maintaining relationships is essential, but never in such a way that a larger nation looks down on us - a small country with a proud culture, history, and traditions - and speaks to us from a position of superiority”, he continued.

Kaladze further highlighted that over the next four years, work must continue actively on infrastructure improvements, public transport modernisation, kindergarten construction, healthcare initiatives, and other important projects.

“Some choose to conduct their campaigns abroad instead of meeting the Georgian electorate daily. The problem is that they believe our country should be governed from outside. This country is governed only by the Georgian people and no one else. Everyone, both inside and outside the country, must understand this. We will not allow anyone to speak to us with a raised finger. We are an independent, sovereign state with a rich culture, traditions, and history of which we are proud. We are proud to be Georgian, to have been born and raised here. Now we must set aside emotions and do our work - the Georgian cause. Through peace, we will be able to develop our cities and villages and carry out projects important for our beautiful Tbilisi. No one can take care of this city better than we can”, he concluded.