Papuashvili Calls Tsalenjikha City Hall's Election Statement "Sabotage"

On July 5, after it became known that Lelo – Strong Georgia would participate in the October 4 elections, Tsalenjikha City Hall declared that it dissociates itself from all political associations and candidates who have decided to take part in the ballot.

"If Tsalenjikha City Hall officially states this, it has a legal dimension, which implies sabotage and the self-governing body acting outside the frameworks of legislation.

The text stated that they would not obey the ‘regime’. What does that mean? Does Tsalenjikha City Hall not recognize the Parliament? Or does it not recognize the government? Does the acting mayor of Tsalenjikha not recognize the laws? Or does he not recognize the Constitution? It's an absolute absurdity, a circus. The current acting mayor of Tsalenjikha and the political force there will also face consequences in the autumn elections for this behavior, which, by the way, they have been doing for so long, including with Lelo's involvement. In short, it's absurd and, in addition, a legally very concerning event that requires appropriate assessment," Papuashvili told journalists.

According to the statement published on City Hall's Facebook page, the demand from the absolute majority of the public and political prisoners for parties to boycott the so-called elections is a clear political mandate.

"Ignoring this message means betraying one's own people, country, and those who risk their lives in the fight for freedom! In a situation where Georgian Dream’s CEC [Central Election Commission] fully controls electoral electronic devices, manages them, writes voter lists, meticulously records voters, uses apparatuses as high-tech tools for falsification, and voter bribery/intimidation remains a major challenge, talking about 'snatching' any city is laughable" statement says. 

The same statement notes that the main ruling political force in Tsalenjikha is the United National Movement.

"We emphatically declare that we will never cooperate with the Russian regime, nor will we create electoral comfort for it or the illusion of pseudo-legitimacy," the statement says.

Pro-Western opposition parties – excluding the coalition Lelo – Strong Georgia and former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia's For Georgia party – refuse to participate in the local elections.

On July 4, Georgian Dream President Mikheil Kavelashvili promised pardons to arrested opposition leaders if they apply for it and "confirm" their desire to participate in the elections. Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia, Mamuka Khazaradze, Badri Japaridze, Zurab Japaridze, Giorgi Vashadze, Irakli Okruashvili, and Givi Targamadze were imprisoned for 7 and 8 months, respectively, for failing to appear before a so-called investigative commission. The court also banned them from holding office for two years.

Tsalenjikha is the only municipality where the opposition won in the 2021 local elections. The Mayor of Tsalenjikha, Giorgi Kharchilava, a member of the United National Movement,  passed away in November 2024. Since then, Ivane Burduli has been serving as acting mayor.