“We will inform the public of our final decision, but we suggest that other opposition parties carefully consider whether participating in the upcoming self-government elections is the right course of action,” stated Grigol Gegelia, a member of the Lelo party.

According to Gegelia, the opposition now warrants heightened vigilance and collective attention.

“This is a critical moment—an opportunity that must be addressed collectively. We find ourselves in a situation where we must remain extremely vigilant and attentive. We know that Georgian Dream aims to schedule new parliamentary elections and to proceed with the second phase of their so-called ‘Russian special operation,’ during which they seek to secure a constitutional majority and undermine the articles of the constitution that still preserve Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic trajectory. That is their true objective.

Therefore, we, as partners and defenders of this country’s sovereignty, must evaluate what options, opportunities, and outcomes are visible within different models and scenarios. This is our message. We must all remain critically vigilant and united, especially given the potential for an attack.

Public opinion polls indicate that a growing segment of the population is inclined toward involvement and participation. While we will inform the public of our final decision, we are also reaching out to our colleagues, urging them to engage in a unified discussion about the best strategies for continuing this fight and maximizing our impact. We suggest that other opposition parties reconsider whether participating in the local elections is indeed the right decision,” Gegelia emphasized.

Additionally, Gegelia was asked to respond to criticism from opposition parties regarding Lelo’s stance on participating in the local elections.

“Everyone has their subjective opinions, but what truly matters is what is best for this country. I am not interested in anyone’s personal views; I focus on research and what serves Georgia’s interests. My primary task, and that of our team, is to defeat Bidzina Ivanishvili—not to please any party leader, more or less. I urge everyone to think more maturely, to use their brains, and to do everything possible to defeat Bidzina Ivanishvili,” he responded.