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:

Tbilisi:

• (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

Sagarejo:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Vakhtangi Kakutashvili

Gurjaani:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Giorgi Machavariani

Signaghi

• (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia – Nodari Vardiashvili
• (41) Georgian Dream – Malkhazi Begiashvili

Dedoplistskaro:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Nikoloz Janiashvili

Lagodekhi:

• (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia – Vano Zurabashvili
• (41) Georgian Dream – Jondo Mdivnishvili

Kvareli:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Ilia Mzekalashvili

Telavi:

• (25) Gakharia For Georgia – Zaza Japaridze
• (41) Georgian Dream – Vazha Maghradze

Akhmeta:

• (25) Gakharia For Georgia – Mate Tsveraidze
• (41) Georgian Dream – Aleksi Pitskhalauri

Tianeti:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Levan Tsiklauri

Rustavi:

• (25) Gakharia For Georgia -Tamar Kekenadze
• (41) Georgian Dream – Nino Latsabidze

Gardabani:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Daviti Kargareteli

Marneuli:

• (5) Our United Georgia – Ali Badirovi
• (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia – Asad Alievi
• (41) Georgian Dream – Dauri Ismailovi

Bolnisi:

• (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia – Asaf Chiragovi
• (41) Georgian Dream – Zamuri Chitanava

Dmanisi:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Koba Muradashvili

Tsalka:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Ilia Sabadze

Tetritskaro:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Mikheil Aptsiauri

Mtskheta:

• (25) Gakharia For Georgia – Tamar Lomitashvili
• (41) Georgian Dream – Gogi Abuashvili

Dusheti:

• (25) Gakharia For Georgia – Lasha Tskhadadze
• (41) Georgian Dream – Kakhaber Chitauri

Kazbegi:

• (9) Lelo Strong Georgia – Saba Chkareuli
• (41) Georgian Dream – Koba Geladze
• (42) Independent Candidate by the “Initiative Group” – Marekh Chopikashvili

Kaspi:

• (25) Gakharia For Georgia – Tatia Broladze
• (41) Georgian Dream – Vakhtang Maisuradze

Gori:

• (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia – Nikoloz Doliashvili
• (41) Georgian Dream – Konstantine Buzaladze

Kareli:

• (7) Free Georgia – Zviadi Mekvabidze
• (41) Georgian Dream – Zaza Guliashvili

Khashuri:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Paata Chaduneli
• (42) Independent Candidate by the “Initiative Group” – Valeri Gelashvili

Borjomi:

• (9) Gakharia For Georgia – Izolda Lomidze
• (41) Georgian Dream – Mamuka Gelashvili

Akhaltsikhe:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Varlam Tsiklauri

Adigeni:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Gocha Kimadze

Aspindza:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Rostom Magrakvelidze

Akhalkalaki:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Melkon Makarian

Ninotsminda:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Anivard Mosoian

Oni:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Davit Lobzhanidze

Ambrolauri:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Zaza Kevanishvili

Tsageri:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Chabuki Chabukiani

Lentekhi:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Giorgi Gazdeliani

Mestia:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Kapiton Zhorzholiani

Kharagauli:

• (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia – Inga Maghradze
• (41) Georgian Dream – Koba Lursmanashvili

Terjola:

• (25) Gakharia For Georgia – Suliko Zarnadze
• (41) Georgian Dream – Manuchar Robakidze

Sachkhere:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Levani Ivanashvili

Zestaponi:

• (11) Georgia – Gigi Nebieridze
• (25) Gakharia For Georgia – Kartlos Peranidze
• (41) Georgian Dream – Vakhtang Ghambashidze

Baghdati:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Nodar Giorgidze

Vani:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Aleksandre Gogorishvili

Samtredia:

• (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia – Badri Vashakidze
• (41) Georgian Dream – Davit Bakhtadze

Khoni:

• (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia – Gela Bobokhidze
• (41) Georgian Dream – Lado Jurkhadze

Chiatura:

• (25) Gakharia For Georgia – Zaza Chumburidze
• (41) Georgian Dream – Givi Modebadze

Tkibuli:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Davit Kublashvili

Tskaltubo:

• (25) Gakharia For Georgia – Ketevan Bakaradze
• (41) Georgian Dream – Genadi Balanchivadze

Kutaisi:

• (11) Georgia – Girogi Amaghlobeli
• (25) Gakharia For Georgia – Paata Zakareishvili
• (41) Georgian Dream – Daviti Eremeishvili

Ozurgeti:

• (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

Abasha:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Giga Gabelaia

Senaki:

• (7) Free Georgia – Besiki Tsuleiskiri
• (25) Gakharia For Georgia – Joni Torchinava
• (41) Georgian Dream – Vakhtang Gadelia

Martvili:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Giorgi Nachkebia

Khobi:

• (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia – Iuri Bukia
• (41) Georgian Dream – Davit Bukia

Zugdidi:

• (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

Poti:

• (41) Georgian Dream – Beka Vacharadze

Batumi:

• (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

Keda:

• (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia – Ramaz Davitadze
• (41) Georgian Dream – Mamuka Turmanidze

Kobuleti:

• (5) Our United Georgia – Telmani Meskhidze
• (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia – Paata Tsivadze
• (41) Georgian Dream – Irakli Tsetskhladze

Shuakhevi:

• (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia – Natia Mgeladze
• (41) Georgian Dream – Omar Takidze

Khelvachauri:

• (9) Lelo-Strong Georgia – Badri Mamuladze
• (41) Georgian Dream – Zaza Diasamidze

Khulo:

• (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.

Also Read:

• 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
  
  

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