Republicans to Run Independently in Polls

The Republican Party announced on February 29 that it would run independently in the parliamentary elections this May.

The Republicans, part of the nine-party opposition coalition, said the move was purely tactical, as it would mean a greater vote take for the opposition as a whole.

“With a proportional election system, the opposition will secure more votes with a broad front, instead of a joint ticket,” Davit Usupashvili, the Republican Party leader, said at a news conference. “Running independently, the Republican Party will significantly contribute to our common goal and we are ready to perform this role worthily.”

He also said that although running independently, the Republican Party would maintain close links with the now eight-party coalition and other opposition groups in order to secure the preconditions for genuinely free and fair elections.