Mamuka Khazaradze Calls for Dialogue on Opposition’s Participation in Local Elections
Mamuka Khazaradze, leader of the “Lelo – Strong Georgia” coalition, has called for an open discussion on whether the opposition should participate in the upcoming local self-government elections.
“In our party, we believe in never giving up without a fight—but that doesn’t mean we intend to contest the elections alone. We will meet not only with the families of political prisoners but also with all groups who present valid arguments for alternative tactics, including a boycott, if they believe it will strengthen our common struggle,” Khazaradze stated.
He emphasised that Bidzina Ivanishvili and the ruling “Georgian Dream” party are determined to prevent the formation of a strong, united opposition platform ahead of the local elections.
“I have no intention of handing over the city of Tbilisi to [Mayor] Kakha Kaladze without a fight,” Khazaradze added.
Several opposition figures and groups—including the United National Movement, the Coalition for Changes, the Federalists, and Georgia’s fifth President, Salome Zurabishvili—support a collective boycott of the elections.
Meanwhile, according to media reports, former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia’s party, For Georgia, is preparing to participate in the 2025 local elections.
U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Robin Dunnigan Announces Retirement
U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Robin Dunnigan has announced her decision to retire and will depart Georgia in July.
“This is a completely personal decision. My government has not requested my recall. I will continue to work tirelessly to strengthen our ties before I leave Georgia in July,” read a statement from the U.S. Embassy.
In response, Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili expressed concern about the current state of U.S.-Georgia relations. “We are concerned about the condition of our relationship with the United States. It is not our fault, and we are not the reason we find ourselves in this situation,” she stated.
Bochorishvili added, “The United States now has the opportunity to appoint a new representative to Georgia, which also opens the door to a fresh start in our bilateral relations—free from past, so to speak, complications.”
Relations between Georgia and the United States have significantly deteriorated since the 2024 parliamentary elections. The strategic partnership was officially suspended, and nearly all U.S. financial assistance programs were halted. Sanctions were also imposed on senior members of the ruling Georgian Dream party, including its founder and honorary chairman, Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Simultaneously, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan “Friends of Georgia Act,” which introduces further sanctions against leaders of the Georgian Dream party.
Georgian Dream Moves to Criminalise Swearing on Social Media
The ruling Georgian Dream party is advancing efforts to blur the line between in-person and online speech, seeking to punish citizens for language used on social media.
Under the proposed changes, individuals may face fines ranging from 1,500 to 4,000 GEL or up to 45 days of administrative detention for comments made in digital spaces.
In February, amid widespread public protests, the Georgian Parliament, controlled by Ivanishvili’s Georgian Dream, passed a law criminalising insults, cursing, or “similar expressions” directed at political figures, public officials, and law enforcement officers.
On May 30, following a complaint by MP Mariam Lashkhi, activist Tatia Afriamashvili was sentenced to 12 days of administrative detention for allegedly offensive remarks. Student Lika Lortkipanidze received the same sentence from Judge Davit Tetrauli for “insulting” the same MP.
As of June 6, it has emerged that the government is actively filing complaints with the Ministry of Internal Affairs against citizens based on their social media posts.