{"id":211896,"date":"2025-10-14T06:42:50","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T02:42:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forbes.ge\/?p=211896"},"modified":"2025-10-17T12:12:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T08:12:09","slug":"the-day-georgia-voted-in-the-streets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.forbes.ge\/en\/the-day-georgia-voted-in-the-streets\/","title":{"rendered":"The Day Georgia Voted in the Streets"},"content":{"rendered":"
October 4, 2025 \u2013 Georgia\u2019s municipal elections<\/strong> ended with the ruling Georgian Dream party winning all 64 municipalities amid the lowest voter turnout in 35 years. International observers were scarce, key opposition leaders remained imprisoned, and protests continued in central Tbilisi.<\/h5>\n

Georgia entered the 2025 municipal elections amid deep political polarization and growing tension with Western partners. The government\u2019s handling of international observation became one of the first signs of controversy. On June 18, officials announced<\/a> that Georgia would not invite international observers to monitor the vote, breaking more than two decades of established practice.<\/p>\n

Two months later Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze reversed the decision, saying Georgia would invite the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) \u201cto leave no questions about the elections.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

Government officials said the invitation demonstrated Georgia\u2019s openness. Critics argued it was a symbolic gesture designed to appear transparent while avoiding full scrutiny.<\/p>\n

Maria Telalian, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE\/ODIHR), stated<\/a> that \u201cregrettably, the Georgian authorities\u2019 decision to invite us at such a late stage prevents meaningful observation.\u201d<\/p>\n

The OSCE\/ODIHR stated that \u201ctransparent and credible election observation requires thorough preparation and an ability to access key stages of the election process, in line with our comprehensive methodology,\u201d which can\u2019t be applied within the short time frame. Director Telalian expressed hope to continue cooperating with local civil society organizations.<\/p>\n

Voter Turnout and Results<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), nationwide turnout was 41%. In Tbilisi, it was 31% \u2014 the lowest since 1990. Despite the low participation, mayor Kakha Kaladze won with 71.5% of the vote.<\/p>\n

CEC data<\/a> shows that Kaladze received roughly the same number of votes as in 2021 but in 2025 this represented a much larger share due to reduced turnout. Georgian Dream won 81% of the total vote and secured control of all municipalities and mayoral positions.<\/p>\n

Opposition figures described the results as mathematically inflated by voter apathy and political pressure. Government representatives called them \u201ca confirmation of public confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Observer Presence<\/strong><\/p>\n

The CEC registered 81 international observers from 28 organizations \u2014 thirteen times fewer than the 1,024 who monitored the 2021 elections. ODIHR, the European Union, and other traditional partners were absent.<\/p>\n

Among those present, the largest contingent \u2014 20 observers \u2014 was from ALTERFACT, a Serbian organization. Hungarian entities, including the Center for Fundamental Rights, also sent representatives. Several observers previously monitored elections in Russia and Hungary and had publicly supported their governments\u2019 electoral practices.<\/p>\n

Pro-government media highlighted the presence of \u201cinternational observers\u201d from countries such as France and the United States. However, many were private individuals or members of organizations with no recognized election-monitoring credentials.<\/p>\n

Opposition parties and watchdogs alleged the presence of \u201cfake observers\u201d\u2014 individuals presenting themselves as neutral but promoting favorable assessments. The government denied the claim, stating all observers were properly accredited.<\/p>\n

Election Day Demonstrations<\/strong><\/p>\n

While turnout at polling stations remained low, large number of protesters gathered at Freedom Square in central Tbilisi, declaring the government illegitimate and calling for a \u201ctransitional administration.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Politician \/ Opera singer Paata Burchuladze read what became known as the October 4 Declaration<\/em>, stating that \u201cpower belongs to the Georgian people\u201d and announcing a \u201ctransitional period.\u201d The statement listed several government figures the group said should face prosecution.<\/p>\n

Later that evening, groups of demonstrators moved toward the presidential residence on Atoneli Street. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, several individuals broke through the fence surrounding Orbeliani Palace. Police used pepper spray and water cannons to disperse the crowd.<\/p>\n

Officials described the events as an attempted coup. Organizers said it was a symbolic act aimed at reclaiming state institutions.<\/p>\n

Police arrested several protest leaders<\/a>, including Burchuladze and former prosecutor Murtaz Zodelava, charging them with attempting to overthrow the constitutional order. Judge Lela Maridashvili ordered pre-trial detention for all five main organizers. Opposition lawyers requested her recusal, citing her past affiliation with Georgian Dream. The court denied the request.<\/p>\n

In the days that followed, dozens more protesters were detained. As of October 14, at least 36 individuals faced charges under articles related to \u201corganizing group violence\u201d and \u201cattempting to seize state power.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Ministry of Internal Affairs said investigations were ongoing. Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that \u201cmany more\u201d arrests were expected.<\/p>\n

Protests have continued nightly near parliament, though with declining attendance and increased police presence.<\/p>\n

Political Context and Opposition Boycott<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"
On July 14, the party Gakharia \u2013 For Georgia and the coalition Lelo \u2013 For a Strong Georgia signed a memorandum concerning the upcoming local elections \/ from Facebook livestream<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Initially, several major opposition parties announced they would boycott the municipal elections. Among them were Strong Georgia \u2013 Lelo, For the People, For Freedom!<\/em> (8.8%) and Gakharia for Georgia<\/em> (7.77%) \u2014 both of which had crossed the 5% threshold in the 2024 parliamentary elections.<\/p>\n

Later, both parties reversed their positions. Lelo<\/em> called the boycott a \u201cbig political mistake\u201d and declared its participation, while former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia\u2019s party was the first to lift the boycott, confirming it would compete in the local races.<\/p>\n

As a result, a total of 12 political parties were registered for the October 4 elections. Apart from Georgian Dream, Lelo<\/em>, and Gakharia for Georgia<\/em>, none had surpassed the 5% threshold in the previous parliamentary elections.<\/p>\n

At the same time, opposition leaders announced a large-scale rally in Tbilisi on election day, describing it as a \u201cpeaceful action to change the government.\u201d<\/p>\n

Several prominent opposition figures remained in prison during the campaign period, including Elene Khoshtaria, Nika Gvaramia, Nikanor Melia, Zurab Japaridze, Irakli Okruashvili, and Givi Targamadze. Shortly before the vote, Georgian Dream\u2013elected President Mikheil Kavelashvili pardoned<\/a> Lelo<\/em> leaders Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, a move that analysts described as politically motivated to reward the party\u2019s decision to participate.<\/p>\n

For the first time in Georgia\u2019s modern history, the country\u2019s three main election watchdogs \u2014 Fair Elections, Transparency International Georgia, and the Georgian Young Lawyers\u2019 Association \u2014 refused to observe.<\/p>\n

In separate statements, they cited an \u201cunfavorable environment for free and competitive elections\u201d and government pressure on NGOs and the media. Transparency International noted that \u201ckey conditions for credible observation are no longer met.\u201d<\/p>\n

Background: A Year of Protests<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"
Zurab Kurtsidkidze\/EPA\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The vote took place against the backdrop of continuous demonstrations that began in November 2024, after Georgian Dream announced it would suspend EU accession talks until 2028. Protesters accused the government of violating Article 78 of the Constitution, which commits Georgia to European integration.<\/p>\n

Rights groups documented repeated use of tear gas and water cannons against protesters, mass arrests, and reports of mistreatment in detention. According to local NGOs, more than 500 people had been detained since the start of protests.<\/p>\n

Ahead of the election, Amnesty International warned that the vote would occur \u201cagainst the backdrop of harsh political repression against opposition representatives and civil society.\u201d Several opposition leaders remained in prison, including Elene Khoshtaria, Nika Gvaramia, and Nikanor Melia.<\/p>\n

\n

Reactions from Europe were overwhelmingly critical<\/a>. EU foreign policy figures, including Estonia\u2019s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Slovenia\u2019s Foreign Minister Marta Kos, said that \u201cmonths of raids on independent media, the passing of laws targeting civil society, the jailing of opponents and activists, or amendments to the electoral code favouring the ruling party\u201d had \u201cdrastically reduced the possibility of competitive elections.\u201d They described the refusal to invite ODIHR in due time as having \u201cundermined transparency\u201d and noted that domestic organizations had refrained from observing \u201cdue to the repressive environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

The foreign ministries of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Norway, Sweden, and Finland issued similar statements, calling the elections \u201ca setback for democracy,\u201d \u201ca sad day,\u201d and \u201cneither free nor fair.\u201d They urged calm, restraint, and dialogue while calling for the release of detained opposition leaders and for authorities to respect freedom of assembly and expression.<\/p>\n

The Council of Europe\u2019s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities said it \u201cdeeply regretted\u201d Georgia\u2019s decision not to invite its observers for the first time in decades and urged the government to restore democratic election standards in line with Venice Commission recommendations. The OSCE\/ODIHR expressed concern over \u201cthe rapid deterioration of the democratic and human rights environment\u201d and called on Georgian authorities to ensure civil society could operate freely.<\/p>\n

Within the EU, only Hungary broke ranks. Foreign Minister P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 congratulated Georgian Dream on its \u201clandslide victory,\u201d describing the ruling party as \u201cpatriots\u201d and dismissing Western criticism.<\/p>\n

As of mid-October, both the protests and arrests continue.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

October 4, 2025 \u2013 Georgia\u2019s municipal elections ended with the ruling Georgian Dream party winning all 64 municipalities amid the lowest voter turnout in 35 years. International observers were scarce, key opposition leaders remained imprisoned, and protests continued in central Tbilisi. Georgia entered the 2025 municipal elections amid deep political polarization and growing tension with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1175,"featured_media":211897,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1736],"tags":[1785],"class_list":["post-211896","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-partner-en","tag-top-en","has-thumb"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Day Georgia Voted in the Streets • Forbes Georgia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.forbes.ge\/en\/the-day-georgia-voted-in-the-streets\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Day Georgia Voted in the Streets • Forbes Georgia\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"October 4, 2025 \u2013 Georgia\u2019s municipal elections ended with the ruling Georgian Dream party winning all 64 municipalities amid the lowest voter turnout in 35 years. 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