Georgian President denounces attempted coup, praises national resilience in annual address

In an annual address to Parliament regarding the state of the nation, Georgian President Mikhail Kavelashvili on Tuesday underscored the critical significance of the 2025 local government elections, framing them as a victory for statehood over foreign-backed instability.

President Kavelashvili emphasised that the elections were conducted at the highest level, in full compliance with international standards. However, he noted that the domestic political climate was marred by external pressures and radical opposition tactics.

“On the backdrop of international challenges and pressure coming from outside the country, the 2025 local elections were of distinguished importance. While the elections met the highest standards, it was clear to our society that the radical opposition had a completely different plan”, the President said.

The President dedicated a significant portion of his speech to the unrest that unfolded on the evening of October 4, 2025. He characterised these events as a failed attempt to seize power through violence, alleging they were orchestrated with significant foreign involvement.

“The events that unfolded on the evening of October 4 revealed the true intentions and goals of radical groups to violently seize state institutions and stage a coup d'état. It is alarming that this violent act against Georgia and the attempt to overthrow the Government were, in fact, openly incited and supported by external forces”, he continued.

Kavelashvili claimed that such a development of events in the country could only be in the interest of those who were ill-wishers of Georgia, adding “it is impossible for anyone who wants to organise a revolution in Georgia to have any sympathy for our country”.

“If it were not for the wisdom and responsibility of the Georgian people towards their country and future, if it were not for their trust in the elected Government, the processes would have developed tragically for Georgia”, the President noted.

He further emphasised a special role of law enforcement officers, together with the Georgian people, in preventing the attempted violent revolution and thanked them for their love and dedication to their homeland.

“In preventing the fifth attempt at a violent revolution, together with the Georgian people, we attribute a special role to law enforcement officers and representatives of the agencies responsible for the security of our country. I would like to thank each of you for your love and dedication to the homeland”, Kavelashvili added.

“Along with our soldiers and civil servants, you are heroes who tirelessly care for the stability of the state, security and protection of peace, which is given special value in the context of the processes taking place in the world. It is the duty of each of us not to allow anyone to destroy the peaceful future of our children, which we are building with such care and love”, he concluded.