The statement made by former Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on May 26, when she suggested that elections should be primarily parliamentary, followed by local elections—or held simultaneously, has sparked a variety of reactions from opposition parties and civil activists. While some demand clear, actionable strategies, others broadly endorse her call for new elections.
Calls for Clearer Action Plans
Political activist and Georgian operatic bass Paata Burchuladze voiced his criticism of Zourabichvili’s speech on TV Pirveli. “I wish there had been some specifics about the course of action. Unfortunately, nothing concrete was outlined,” he commented.
Burchuladze stressed that, despite years of opposition rhetoric calling for unity and regime change, tangible strategies remain elusive. “We’ve been crying for 13 years that we must unite and overthrow the regime, but no concrete roadmap has been established. Continually issuing vague statements and postponing decisive steps only leads us further into the future—2028, then 2030, then 2032—and keeps us in a perpetual state of planning without action,” he said.
He underscored the urgency of drafting a detailed plan: “There must be a clear, actionable roadmap—what we do tomorrow, the day after, and so on. We need to prepare so that by the new year, we are free from this regime. Achieving that is realistic, especially since our unity is already underway.”
Burchuladze added, “We’ve held four meetings, united various political parties, and set plans to rally support across regions, especially in Rustaveli Avenue, where Georgia’s fate is decided. The heroes are those who continue this struggle relentlessly. No one should believe that halting this movement is possible—it must persist through the summer and beyond until victory is achieved. These are the concrete steps with timelines that we need to outline because endless talk without action is unacceptable.”
Unity-National Movement’s Stance
Giorgi Botkoveli, regional secretary of the Unity-National Movement believes that “participating in elections today is an act of treason against every Georgian—especially political prisoners and those protesting for the past 180 days.”
He emphasized that systemic change is essential: “The solution is clear—there must be no politicized structures aligned with the Russian regime. We need a thorough overhaul: a political police or State Security Service that is independent, and a legislative framework that genuinely reflects the will of the people. The current Central Election Commission remains under the control of the ruling regime—this must change.”
Lelo-Strong Georgia’s Moderate View
Irakli Kupradze, General Secretary of Lelo-Strong Georgia, expressed a more moderate outlook. “It’s understandable that the demand for joint municipal and parliamentary elections persists. This aligns with the broader calls for new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners,” he said.
Kupradze noted that with municipal elections approaching, there is a real possibility of scheduling these elections simultaneously with parliamentary ones. “Zourabichvili’s remarks reflect this potential,” he added.
Regarding expectations from her speech, Kupradze stated that he did not anticipate any “revolutionary breakthroughs or miraculous solutions from anyone, including myself or Zourabichvili. Our struggle is rooted in two straightforward demands: new elections and the release of political prisoners.”
Federalists’ Endorsement
Giga Bokeria, a leader of the Federalists party, expressed strong support for Zourabichvili’s stance.
“Yes, I fully share her message. Addressing this crisis is essential for Georgia’s sovereignty—particularly as Ivanishvili’s regime threatens our independence and emboldens our enemies,” he declared.
Bokeria emphasized that “the resignation of the current government, new elections, and a genuine transition to a Western-oriented path are vital for safeguarding our national identity and interests.”
He concluded that widespread societal unity around these goals underscores the ongoing protests and must serve as the foundation for future progress.
During her speech at the May 26 rally, organized by the Resistance Platform and various opposition spectrum to mark Independence Day separately from the current Georgian Dream government, Zourabichvili proposed: “Elections should initially be parliamentary, followed by local elections—or, ultimately, if nothing else, conducted simultaneously—parliamentary and local elections together.”
