“Those who choose to co-participate in the Russian scenario and decide to capitulate with Ivanishvili will ultimately be forgotten by the people,” stated Irakli Pavlenishvili, Deputy General Secretary of the United National Movement (UNM).

According to Pavlenishvili, the UNM was the first party to openly and firmly reject participation in the local elections.

“Our position aligns with the Georgian people and political prisoners. We stand on the side of national interests, refusing to partake in Ivanishvili’s so-called ‘special operation,’” he emphasized.

He added, “Collaborators with the system will be forever forgotten by the people once systemic changes take place.”

In response to the European Parliament’s call for the opposition to engage in the upcoming local elections, Pavlenishvili advised a careful reading of the EP’s June 4 press release on Georgia’s annual report.

“The document is accessible, and people can read it for themselves. They will realise that no one is forcing anything. There is no explicit call for the opposition to participate in the elections; rather, our partners emphasize the importance of unity in all critical decisions,” he explained.

Pavlenishvili urged political forces not to fall into Ivanishvili’s trap and not to legitimise his regime.

“When discussing political actors, some contribute to the Georgian Dream’s narrative and assist Ivanishvili in maintaining his regime—something we are not surprised by. However, others’ stance is truly astonishing, since we do not want them to become such forces,” he stated.

“Therefore, I call on all political groups to resist playing Ivanishvili’s game, to avoid legitimizing his regime, and to reject any moves that would ease international sanctions. I urge them not to participate in processes driven by Ivanishvili, which serve his interests rather than those of the Georgian people and the political prisoners who have been actively opposing the regime for many months, including those protesting from Rustaveli Avenue,” he concluded.