Salome Zurabishvili: We are neither organising a campaign to participate in the elections nor advocating for a boycott
The fifth President of Georgia, Salome Zourabishvili, stated:
“If anyone in this country believes that local elections will be held, that is a major illusion. There are no genuine elections — there is only the topic of elections.
According to Zurabishvili, the ruling party has successfully used this narrative to divide and weaken the opposition.
She further emphasised:
“We are neither running a campaign to participate in the elections nor organising a boycott campaign. We are divided on both fronts. Significant financial and human resources are being diverted to a boycott effort, resources that should instead support ongoing protests. The logic and purpose of this boycott campaign are unclear to me.”
Zourabishvili argued that no boycott has ever been declared a victory in similar contexts.
“Today, as elections can be rigged if someone participates, a boycott can be manipulated even more easily. Under conditions of fear, financial pressure, and intimidation, people can be coerced into voting. If the boycott becomes quantifiable, the regime can present it as a victory. This is how boycotts typically end under dictatorial regimes,” she said.
She stressed the need for a concrete alternative:
“A resistance platform must work to establish a transitional government, because no one supports a power vacuum. Much of the public anxiety stems from the unanswered question: ‘If not them, then who?’ We have a responsibility to provide this answer, to present to both society and the international community, who will take over when the current regime falls.”
Municipal elections in Georgia are scheduled for October 4, 2025. Part of the opposition — including the United National Movement, the Coalition for Change, and other parties — have announced a boycott, while the coalition Strong Georgia and Giorgi Gakharia’s party For Georgia plan to participate.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the former chairman of the Adjara government attempted suicide
On July 7, the Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that Tornike Rizhvadze, the former chairman of the Adjara government, had sustained a gunshot wound to the chest. An investigation was launched under Article 115 of the Criminal Code, which concerns incitement to suicide.
Shortly thereafter, rulling party-run media outlet Imedi published a letter allegedly written by Rizhvadze prior to his suicide attempt. In the letter Rizhvadze reportedly stated that he had attempted suicide due to accusations of “corruption and facilitating bribery.”
On the same day, Alexi Akhvlediani, director of the Maritime Transport Agency, was arrested on charges of negligent storage of a firearm. He was subsequently released on bail set at 30,000 GEL.
On July 9, Rizhvadze was transferred to Turkey for medical treatment.
Former MP and politically active figure Givi Targamadze weighed in on the situation, claiming that the ruling party, Georgian Dream, had “unofficially arrested Rizhvadze’s father.”
“Rizhvadze was originally backed by Kaladze (Tbilisi mayor) and quickly became entangled in a classic, deeply rooted corruption scheme. He managed the distribution of stolen funds with apparent skill and was publicly celebrated, earning applause and support. However, at some point, Liluashvili (Former Head of State Security Service) deceived him. Rizhvadze had been given control over an unprecedented sum of money, funds flowing from illegal so-called call centres and drug trafficking. The amount was so massive that it would overwhelm not only someone of below-average intelligence but even highly capable individuals. He took his share, while his father added further complications with additional schemes. Suddenly, Liluashvili was dismissed and the new elite intervened with extreme ruthlessness and panic, demanding immediate repayment: ‘The money, now — or you and your family will pay the price,’” Targamadze wrote.
Parties supporting the Municipal Election boycott plan march on July 19
On July 19 at 7:00 PM, a protest march will be held from the first building of Tbilisi State University (TSU) to the Parliament. This initiative was announced by eight political parties, non-governmental organisations, families of prisoners of conscience, and various civic groups boycotting the upcoming elections.
In their joint statement, the parties declared:
“We, the representatives of eight political parties gathered here, reaffirm our commitment to a strong and principled protest. We reiterate that we recognise only new, free parliamentary elections and categorically refuse to participate in what we consider a Russian special operation disguised as local elections.
We stand against the corrupt and anti-democratic regime that threatens Georgia’s national independence and the freedom of its citizens, plunging the country into chaos and violence. The main threat to peace and stability today is Ivanishvili’s political group, which has unlawfully seized power and seeks to subjugate society instead of serving and being accountable to it.
We recognise only free elections! Reject the Russian special operation! Our struggle is just — let us stand firm, and together we will prevail!”
The statement was endorsed by the following parties and groups: Freedom Square, European Georgia, United National Movement, Strategy Builder, Ahkali, Girchi – More Freedom, Droa, and the Federalists.