Giorgi Gakharia confirms his party to prepare for municipal elections

“We are preparing for any upcoming elections because as a political party, you should always be ready for elections. This is how we work. Currently, we are scheduling for both parliamentary and local elections together in October,” stated Giorgi Gakharia, leader of the Gakharia for Georgia party, during a broadcast on TV Pirveli.

When asked by the host whether he would categorically refuse to participate if the elections were not scheduled simultaneously, Gakharia stated that he is not outright refusing; however, he is not prepared to make that decision today.

“If the elections are not scheduled together, we will decide then. I am not categorically refusing. I affirm once again that I am not categorically declining, and no one can compel me to say otherwise. This decision is for me and our voters to make. No external pressures—whether from the left or the right—I won’t name names—can influence me. I tend to speak carefully, and I rarely find myself needing to retract my statements.

Regarding the local self-government elections, if they are held together, that is clear; if they are held separately, we will decide when the time comes. It is no one else’s business. We are, of course, preparing and not categorically refusing. We may choose to participate, or we may not. However, I am not ready to make that decision today,” Gakharia noted.

When asked under what circumstances he would not participate in local self-government elections, Gakharia replied that providing a direct answer serves the interests of certain political parties who are too weak to make their own decisions.

“Giving a direct answer to this question serves the interests of certain political parties who are so helpless that they can’t take responsibility for their own decisions. They look to us to see what we’ll do. Everyone should mind their own business. I say what I say openly, sincerely, and directly, and I say things that I won’t have to take back,” Gakharia stated.

To another clarifying question about whether he doubts that all four parties that crossed the threshold, including his party, will participate in the elections, Gakharia responded:

“I have doubts about everyone. What do you mean including our party? I’m speaking about myself. It’s simple—yes, I confirm that we are preparing for municipal elections,” Gakharia noted.

According to him, there is a chance of participation even if parliamentary elections are not held before then. “Pass this message to others as well, and they’ll also have some space to act more boldly,” Gakharia added.