“The refusal to sign the political parties’ code of conduct is an admission that the opposition is preparing for a radical pre-election campaign and a confrontational post-election agenda,” Georgian Parliament Chair Shalva Papuashvili told journalists.

Papuashvili asserted that the opposition is unwilling to take responsibility for even basic standards of conduct.

“The radical opposition is, in fact, preparing for the day after the elections and for rejecting the results. This is a tradition they have maintained since 2012. They refused to recognize the elections in 2012, 2016, and 2020. In all three instances, it took time and pressure for them to acknowledge the results,” Papuashvili stated.

“Clearly, they are following the same logic now and intend to contest these elections as well. They are already laying the groundwork for this. They are unwilling to commit to even elementary standards of behaviour. I hope international observers will take note of this. It is a direct acknowledgement that the opposition is gearing up for a radical pre-election campaign and an equally aggressive post-election agenda.”

According to the Central Election Commission, out of the 27 parties registered for the October 26 parliamentary elections, only six have signed the code of conduct for political parties.