“The Resistance Platform made a clear statement on May 26 that local elections should be held under conditions of new parliamentary elections and beyond Bidzina Ivanishvili’s control. Our friends from the Lelo party and partners share this demand,” said Elene Khoshtaria, leader of the Droa party.

According to Elene Khoshtaria, altering the joint position and introducing dissonance causes confusion and disappointment.

“The Coalition for Change and its unlawfully imprisoned leaders have been consistently arguing that even the idea of participation in local elections is unacceptable and damaging for the resistance in the majority of Georgian citizens. Given the current uncertain situation and the ambiguous statements made by some of our partner parties, I find it necessary to make an additional statement to clarify my position.

Participation in local elections means legitimizing the Russian violent regime and would serve as a recognition of the October 26 Russian special operation and seized elections. This would mean halting the fight aside from being immoral before prisoners of conscience and imprisoned political partners,” she said.

Khoshtaria believes that the opposition’s action strategy should be rooted in the principles of non-recognition of the regime and non-collaboration, emphasizing that any actions violating these principles must not be tolerated.

“I, as a member of the Resistance Platform, believe that the Resistance Platform has the potential to be the political gravitation centre. I feel compelled to emphasize that the Resistance Platform issued a clear statement on May 26, asserting that local elections should be conducted only under the conditions of new parliamentary elections beyond Bidzina Ivanishvili’s influence. This regime will not conduct elections.

The Lelo was part of this decision. Our friends from the Lelo Party and partners shared this demand. Altering this joint and common opposition viewpoint, its violation and bringing dissonance cause confusion and disappointment. I hope our partners will return to the principal stance, which they signed a few months ago,” she concluded.