“I expect that, by October 4, only Kupradze will remain as a candidate to contest every municipality. This will probably be their final path,” declared Ani Tsitlidze, a member of the United National Movement opposition party, referring to Lelo’s Tbilisi mayoral candidacy.

According to her, Lelo’s participation in local government elections is a betrayal of the Georgian people’s struggle for freedom and a European future.

“I have only one comment regarding this matter. Against the backdrop of yesterday’s events, when Lelo’s candidate in Bolnisi withdrew in favour of Georgian Dream, I think that, by October 4, perhaps only Kupradze will remain as a candidate, fighting to contest every municipality.

They are in such straits now that finding any logic in Lelo’s decision would genuinely be difficult for me. I expect that, by October 4, only Kupradze will remain as a candidate to contest every municipality.

Our position on this matter is clear and unambiguous. The path that Lelo has chosen, to serve as Bidzina Ivanishvili’s face-washers in these so-called elections, which in reality amounts to participation in a Russian special operation, is a betrayal of the struggle that is called the fight for Georgian citizens’ freedom and European future,” declared Tsitlidze.

For reference, Lelo’s mayoral candidate for Tbilisi, Irakli Kupradze, has stated that he “will not be afraid to respond to the Russian government and, starting October 5, as an opposition, pro-Western mayor, will organise authorised demonstrations every evening”.