Levan Gogichaishvili: Lelo – Strong Georgia’s decision is the right one, and I support it. We need to nominate joint, neutral candidates. As for the United National Movement, I’m not interested in their opinion

Lelo – Strong Georgia’s decision is the right one, and I support it. They [the critics] panicked “like fools.” Kavelashvili is not the one announcing elections — this is a constitutional process. I believe we should nominate neutral candidates,” said Davit Gogichaishvili, one of the leaders of For Georgia (Gakharia’s party), in an interview with TV Pirveli.

According to him, the country has experience showing that victory is possible even under unfair conditions.

"Lelo – Strong Georgia’s decision is correct, and I support it. The local self-government elections are a very important stage in the fight — especially in terms of communication with people.

In this country, elections have no alternative, and everything else is provocation — even if the elections are conducted by the same CEC as in 2024, one that resembles the CEC under the previous UNM government.

This country has proven that it is possible to win even in unfair conditions. Those victories would be easier if we agreed on neutral candidates.

Didn’t the European Parliament clearly state in its resolution that opposition participation in the elections is important? In every meeting, they say local elections are crucial.

Participation does not mean legitimizing the government — and you will never convince a single European, for whom municipal elections are a democratic foundation, that refusing to participate is the right move.

That document they threw out yesterday, which people jumped on like fools — Kavelashvili isn’t the one calling elections; it’s a constitutional process.

And now they wave Zarkua in front of me — who used to be a ‘UNM guy’ — and now Bidzina’s ‘UNM guy’ is trying to make me change my mind? What does it matter if he’s Misha’s ‘UNM’ or someone else’s?

I don’t care about the United National Movement’s opinion. Their attitude toward Lelo already showed how collegial and respectful they are.

I believe it would be a mistake to enter these elections with individual candidates. We need to nominate joint, neutral candidates. Those candidates should have a broad appeal so that voters can support them,” said Levan Gogichaishvili.

For context, Lelo – Strong Georgia announced that it will participate in the local self-government elections scheduled for October 4. This was stated by the party’s Secretary General, Irakli Kupradze, during a briefing.