Georgian Dream Names 63 Mayoral Candidates for October Local Elections

The ruling Georgian Dream party named its mayoral candidates for all 63 municipalities ahead of the local elections, set to take place on October 4 amid the boycott from part of opposition forces. Speaking as party leader during the August 11 presentation event, GD Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said most of the candidates are incumbent or acting mayors. The remaining nominees come from a diverse mix of political, civil service, media, and business backgrounds. Earlier, GD separately endorsed incumbent Kakha Kaladze to seek a third term as Tbilisi Mayor. Only two out of GD's 64 mayoral candidates are women. On August 7, the ruling party also presented a list of all-male 25 majoritarian contenders for the Tbilisi City Council seats. With the registration deadline passing on August 8, seventeen political parties, less than half the number that registered for the 2021 municipal elections, have signed up to participate in the upcoming vote. Nine parties, including those from major opposition alliances that took part in last October's parliamentary elections, are boycotting the elections, with the vote taking place amid ongoing repression, legislative crackdowns on opposition, jailings of political leaders, and a lack of international observation. Below is the list of Georgian Dream's mayoral nominees, organized by regions: Akhmeta – Alex Pitskhelauri (incumbent) Gurjaani – Giorgi Machavariani (incumbent) Dedoplistskaro – Nikoloz Janiashvili (incumbent) Lagodekhi – Jondo Mdivnishvili (incumbent) Sighnaghi – Malkhaz Begiashvili (incumbent) Kvareli – Ilia Mzekalashvili, acting chair of Kvareli City Council Sagarejo – Vakhtang Kakutashvili, Defense Ministry staffer Telavi – Vazha Maghradze, deputy Kakheti district prosecutor Kvemo Kartli Rustavi – Nino Latsabidze (incumbent) Gardabani – Davit Kargareteli (incumbent) Dmanisi – Koba Muradashvili (incumbent) Tsalka – Ilia Sabadze (incumbent) Marneuli – Dauri Ismailov, civil servant Tetritskaro – Mikheil Aptsiauri, deputy chair of Tetritskaro City Council Bolnisi – Zamuri Chitanava, lawyer and civil servant Mtskheta-Mtianeti Tianeti – Levan Tsiklauri (incumbent) Mtskheta – Gogi Abuashvili, architect and manager Dusheti – Kakhaber Chitauri, Dusheti City Council chair Kazbegi – Koba Geladze, engineer and manager Shida Kartli Gori – Konstantine Buzaladze (incumbent) Kareli – Zaza Guliashvili (incumbent) Kaspi – Vakhtang Maisuradze (incumbent) Khashuri – Paata Chaduneli, manager in private sector Samtskhe-Javakheti Adigeni – Gocha Kimadze (incumbent) Aspindza – Rostom Magrakvelidze (incumbent) Akhalkalaki – Melkon Makariani (incumbent) Ninotsminda – Anivard Mosoyan (incumbent) Akhaltsikhe – Varlam Tsiklauri, journalist at pro-government Imedi TV Borjomi – Mamuka Gelashvili, law enforcement official Kutaisi – Davit Eremeishvili (incumbent) Sachkhere – Levan Ivanashvili (incumbent) Chiatura – Givi Modebadze (incumbent) Kharagauli – Koba Lursmanashvili (incumbent) Terjola – Manuchar Robakidze (incumbent) Vani – Aleksandre Gogorishvili (incumbent) Samtredia – Davit Bakhtadze (incumbent) Khoni – Lado Jurkhadze (incumbent) Tskaltubo – Genadi Balanchivadze (incumbent) Bagdati – Nodar Giorgidze, Baghdati City Council chair Zestaponi – Vakhtang Ghambashidze, Zestaponi City Council chair Tkibuli – Davit Kublashvili, local party organization leader Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Tsageri – Chabuki Chabukiani (incumbent) Lentekhi – Giorgi Gazdeliani (incumbent) Ambrolauri – Zaza Kevanishvili, entrepreneur Oni – Davit Lobzhanidze, entrepreneur Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Poti – Beka Vacharadze (incumbent) Khobi – Davit Bukia (incumbent) Senaki – Vakhtang Gadelia (incumbent) Abasha – Giga Gabelaia (incumbent) Mestia – Kapiton Zhorzholiani (incumbent) Zugdidi – Dato Kodua, incumbent GD MP Chkhorotskhu – Jumber Izoria, former MP Martvili – Giorgi Nachkebia, entrepreneur Tsalenjikha – Nika Kankia, civil servant Lanchkhuti – Alexander Sarishvili (incumbent) Ozurgeti – Paata Kunchulia, lecturer and manager Chokhatauri – Mindia Zhgeria, deputy mayor Kobuleti – Irakli Tsetskhladze (incumbent) Khelvachauri – Zaza Diasamidze (incumbent) Shuakhevi – Omar Takidze (incumbent) Keda – Mamuka Turmanidze, Adjara Autonomous Republic Supreme Council deputy Khulo – Vakhtang Beridze, Adjara Autonomous Republic Supreme Council deputy Batumi – Giorgi Tsintsadze, head of the Adjara government administration 14/07/2025 – Lelo, Gakharia’s For Georgia Agree to Cooperate for Local Elections 08/07/2025 – ODIHR Regrets GD Government’s ‘Stated Intention’ Not to Invite Monitoring Mission 05/07/2025 – Lelo/Strong Georgia to Run in October Local Elections, Three Senior Members Dissent 17/06/2025 – Treason or Opportunity – Opposition Squabbles over Municipal Elections 12/06/2025 – ODIHR: We Have Not Received Invitation to Observe Local Elections in Georgia 30/04/2025 – Local Elections: New Divisive Issue for Opposition