GD Runs Uncontested in Nearly Half of Municipalities for October 4 Vote

The ruling Georgian Dream party’s mayoral candidates are running unchallenged in 25 of a total of 64 municipalities nationwide, while in three others their only rivals are independent candidates named by so-called “initiative groups” or a minor party, leaving GD without mainstream opposition challengers in a total of 28 municipalities, according to September 9 data from the Central Election Commission (CEC). The main opposition forces in the October 4 municipal vote are Lelo/Strong Georgia alliance and former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia’s For Georgia party, which, unlike other mainstream opposition forces, decided to take part in what was widely seen from the outset as an unfair race. The two have joined forces in the run-up to the vote, presenting joint candidates including in Tbilisi. However, even together, their mayoral candidates cover only 36 municipalities, leaving the ruling party uncontested in 28 as the deadline to field candidates has expired. Lelo/Strong Georgia and For Georgia, which had explained their participation as an effort to challenge Georgian Dream and leave no race uncontested, have faced backlash from boycotting opposition groups and ridicule from the ruling party for failing to field candidates throughout the country, as local elections usually require broader party resources. “There are 28 municipalities where the two parties together could not select even one person,” Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told journalists on September 11, adding “These are not [political] parties. These are radical groups of agents funded from abroad. Accordingly, they have no public support, which is reflected in the fact that in 28 cases the two parties together could not find a single candidate." “This is a capitulation,” Tengo Tevzadze of the boycotting opposition Coalition for Change said, adding that Lelo and Gakharia’s party have failed to stand as “systemic” opposition. Tevzadze also said Lelo and For Georgia failed to staff many precinct commissions. “Of 3,055 polling stations, Lelo does not have a member in 253 precinct commissions, while Gakharia’s party lacks representatives in 1,337,” he noted, adding that in the regions Gakharia’s party has no members in 41% of precinct commissions. Lelo/Strong Georgia’s Lana Galdava said the “mine of the opposition votes” lies in big cities, where the party is betting on winning. Large cities, particularly Tbilisi, where Georgian Dream’s support is lower than in the regions, have been Lelo’s focus since the start of its campaign in the partially boycotted vote. “We know, don’t we, where the biggest rating is and where it is lower. Therefore, Tbilisi, Batumi, the big cities, are indeed the mine of the opposition votes. And I ask you, when they [GD] have only 22% support in Tbilisi, how could we give it up as a gift to Georgian Dream,” Galdava said on air on Formula TV. Georgia’s October 4 local elections are being widely boycotted by mainstream opposition parties, who say participation would lend legitimacy to the disputed Georgian Dream government and normalize its rule amid ongoing anti-government protests and state repression. The vote will also lack scrutiny, as the OSCE/ODIHR will not observe as it received a last-minute invitation from Georgian Dream, and leading local watchdog ISFED will not deploy a monitoring mission, citing "largely unmet" conditions to ensure a free and fair vote. In Tbilisi, Georgian Dream nominated incumbent Mayor Kakha Kaladze to seek a third term, while Lelo and For Georgia named Lelo’s Irakli Kupradze as their joint candidate. Others in the capital's race include right-libertarian Girchi leader Iago Khvichia and Zurab Makharadze of the far-right Conservatives for Georgia. Below is a list of mayoral candidates for all 64 municipalities from all running parties: (1) Homeland, Language, Faith - Teimuraz Bokelavadze (3) Conservatives for Georgia - Zurab Makharadze (7) Free Georgia - Kakha Kukava (8) Alliance of Patriots of Georgia - Otar Chitanava (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia - Irakli Kupradze (11) Georgia - Giorgi Liluashvili (12) Greens’ Party - Giorgi Gachechiladze (36) Girchi - Iago Khvichia (41) Georgian Dream - Kakha Kaladze (41) Georgian Dream - Vakhtangi Kakutashvili (41) Georgian Dream - Giorgi Machavariani (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia - Nodari Vardiashvili (41) Georgian Dream - Malkhazi Begiashvili Dedoplistskaro: (41) Georgian Dream - Nikoloz Janiashvili (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia - Vano Zurabashvili (41) Georgian Dream - Jondo Mdivnishvili (41) Georgian Dream - Ilia Mzekalashvili (25) Gakharia For Georgia - Zaza Japaridze (41) Georgian Dream - Vazha Maghradze (25) Gakharia For Georgia - Mate Tsveraidze (41) Georgian Dream - Aleksi Pitskhalauri (41) Georgian Dream - Levan Tsiklauri (25) Gakharia For Georgia -Tamar Kekenadze (41) Georgian Dream - Nino Latsabidze (41) Georgian Dream - Daviti Kargareteli (5) Our United Georgia - Ali Badirovi (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia - Asad Alievi (41) Georgian Dream - Dauri Ismailovi (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia - Asaf Chiragovi (41) Georgian Dream - Zamuri Chitanava (41) Georgian Dream - Koba Muradashvili (41) Georgian Dream - Ilia Sabadze Tetritskaro: (41) Georgian Dream - Mikheil Aptsiauri (25) Gakharia For Georgia - Tamar Lomitashvili (41) Georgian Dream - Gogi Abuashvili (25) Gakharia For Georgia - Lasha Tskhadadze (41) Georgian Dream - Kakhaber Chitauri (9) Lelo Strong Georgia - Saba Chkareuli (41) Georgian Dream - Koba Geladze (42) Independent Candidate by the "Initiative Group" - Marekh Chopikashvili (25) Gakharia For Georgia - Tatia Broladze (41) Georgian Dream - Vakhtang Maisuradze (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia - Nikoloz Doliashvili (41) Georgian Dream - Konstantine Buzaladze (7) Free Georgia - Zviadi Mekvabidze (41) Georgian Dream - Zaza Guliashvili (41) Georgian Dream - Paata Chaduneli (42) Independent Candidate by the "Initiative Group" - Valeri Gelashvili (9) Gakharia For Georgia - Izolda Lomidze (41) Georgian Dream - Mamuka Gelashvili Akhaltsikhe: (41) Georgian Dream - Varlam Tsiklauri (41) Georgian Dream - Gocha Kimadze (41) Georgian Dream - Rostom Magrakvelidze Akhalkalaki: (41) Georgian Dream - Melkon Makarian Ninotsminda: (41) Georgian Dream - Anivard Mosoian (41) Georgian Dream - Davit Lobzhanidze Ambrolauri: (41) Georgian Dream - Zaza Kevanishvili (41) Georgian Dream - Chabuki Chabukiani (41) Georgian Dream - Giorgi Gazdeliani (41) Georgian Dream - Kapiton Zhorzholiani Kharagauli: (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia - Inga Maghradze (41) Georgian Dream - Koba Lursmanashvili (25) Gakharia For Georgia - Suliko Zarnadze (41) Georgian Dream - Manuchar Robakidze (41) Georgian Dream - Levani Ivanashvili (11) Georgia - Gigi Nebieridze (25) Gakharia For Georgia - Kartlos Peranidze (41) Georgian Dream - Vakhtang Ghambashidze (41) Georgian Dream - Nodar Giorgidze (41) Georgian Dream - Aleksandre Gogorishvili (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia - Badri Vashakidze (41) Georgian Dream - Davit Bakhtadze (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia - Gela Bobokhidze (41) Georgian Dream - Lado Jurkhadze (25) Gakharia For Georgia - Zaza Chumburidze (41) Georgian Dream - Givi Modebadze (41) Georgian Dream - Davit Kublashvili (25) Gakharia For Georgia - Ketevan Bakaradze (41) Georgian Dream - Genadi Balanchivadze (11) Georgia - Girogi Amaghlobeli (25) Gakharia For Georgia - Paata Zakareishvili (41) Georgian Dream - Daviti Eremeishvili (25) Gakharia For Georgia - Aleksandre Menabde (41) Georgian Dream - Paata Kunchulia Lanchkhuti: (25) Gakharia For Georgia - Davit Chkhaidze (41) Georgian Dream - Aleksandre Sarishvili Chokhatauri: (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia - Nugzari Chkhivadze (41) Georgian Dream - Mindia Zhgheria (41) Georgian Dream - Giga Gabelaia (7) Free Georgia - Besiki Tsuleiskiri (25) Gakharia For Georgia - Joni Torchinava (41) Georgian Dream - Vakhtang Gadelia (41) Georgian Dream - Giorgi Nachkebia (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia - Iuri Bukia (41) Georgian Dream - Davit Bukia (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia - Giorgi Todua (11) Georgia - Ramaz Chachibaia (41) Georgian Dream - Dato Kodua Tsalenjikha: (25) Gakharia For Georgia - Khvicha Mebonia (41) Georgian Dream - Guba Sajaia Chkhorotsku: (25) Gakharia For Georgia - Malkhaz Gakharia (41) Georgian Dream - Jumber Izoria (42) Independent Candidate by "Initiative Group" - Odishar Lagvilava (41) Georgian Dream - Beka Vacharadze (1) Homeland, Language, Faith - Tamar Mikeladze (5) Our United Georgia - Zviad Kvirikadze (25) Gakharia For Georgia - Gocha Gugunava (41) Georgian Dream - Giorgi Tsintsadze (42) Independent Candidate by "Initiative Group" - Kakhaber Tsiskaridze (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia - Ramaz Davitadze (41) Georgian Dream - Mamuka Turmanidze (5) Our United Georgia - Telmani Meskhidze (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia - Paata Tsivadze (41) Georgian Dream - Irakli Tsetskhladze (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia - Natia Mgeladze (41) Georgian Dream - Omar Takidze Khelvachauri: (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia - Badri Mamuladze (41) Georgian Dream - Zaza Diasamidze (14) People’s State - Zia Saginadze (25) Gakharia For Georgia - Irakli Bolkvadze (41) Georgian Dream - Vakhtang Beridze This news was updated on October 4 at 15:50 to include the mayoral candidates for all 64 municipalities from all running parties. 10/09/2025 - CEC Hails ‘International Observers’ but Most are Obscure 26/08/2025 – Georgian Dream, Lelo/Gakharia’s Tbilisi Majoritarian Candidates for October 4 Local Vote 26/08/2025 – ISFED: Election Law Changes Tilt October 4 Vote Further Toward Georgian Dream 17/06/2025 – Treason or Opportunity – Opposition Squabbles over Municipal Elections