“Lelo’s decision is a betrayal. It will undoubtedly pay the price for forming a coalition with Georgian Dream,” said Ani Tsitlidze, a member of the opposition United National Movement party.

According to Tsitlidze, Lelo’s choice to participate in the local elections prompted members to leave the party.

“From the beginning, we made it clear—Lelo’s move is a betrayal of the citizens fighting against this regime, of political prisoners, and of every pro-Western force in the country. By participating in what we call a Russian special operation, Lelo has chosen a path for which it will be held accountable—by its voters and politically. This is reflected in the internal processes within Lelo, as people are leaving with dignity in protest of this decision,” Tsitlidze stated.

She also responded to statements by Lelo members Salome Samadashvili and Badri Japaridze regarding participation in the elections.

“I don’t care what Samadashvili says. She once accused Mamuka Khazaradze of having a Communist Party membership card, then joined his party. Such inconsistency is typical of her.

As for Badri Japaridze’s remarks, they are an attempt to mislead, just like Georgian Dream when it tries to convince us that white is black. It’s shameful. Being a political prisoner doesn’t justify avoiding the truth. His statement was not only false but also an insult to the young political prisoners, who are in jail for fighting for this country’s freedom. They repeatedly urged Lelo not to take part in this so-called Russian special operation.

If you join a Russian special operation, you’re either betraying your cause or acting as a useful idiot. Whichever Lelo is, it doesn’t matter to me. What matters is the national interest. We either defeat the Russian regime or we cease to exist as a country. Lelo’s decision is nothing short of betrayal,” Tsitlidze concluded.

The coalition Lelo – Strong Georgia announced its participation in the upcoming local government elections on July 5.