Prepared by Messenger Staff
Khoshtaria: Our Main Task is to Delegitimize and Dismantle the System
Elene Khoshtaria, a leader of the Coalition for Change, has called for the rejection of upcoming local elections in Georgia, labeling them a "legitimization spectacle" and urging both political actors and civil society to unite in a broader fight to dismantle what she described as a Russian-style regime.
Speaking to Interpressnews during a protest held under the slogan "No to Russian Elections," Khoshtaria said the goal is to delegitimize the political system and push for truly free elections.
"Today we are seeing a loud statement from the political class, civil society, and our citizens - our main task is to delegitimize the system, dismantle it, and achieve truly free elections through this path," she said.
Khoshtaria emphasized the importance of political unity and a principled refusal to cooperate with the current authorities. "The fight that will bring results depends, first and foremost, on the principled stance of the political class - to not cooperate with the regime and not grant it legitimacy."
She also called for broad civic engagement to support political efforts. "Protest is extremely important - and it must build upon this principled political position, including through a strong, broad-based civic protest," she stated.
Khoshtaria warned that Georgia risks losing past democratic gains and further drifting away from Europe. "We don't have much time left. what has only been preserved is thanks to the people's struggle. Otherwise, no one recognizes this government. That's why we must actively fight for the dismantling of the system," she said.
Opposition Parties Launch 'Resistance' Structure Ahead of October Local Elections Boycott
Eight opposition parties that have pledged to boycott Georgia's October 4 local elections announced plans to organize "members of resistance" throughout the country to expand political mobilization at the local level.
The announcement was made at a rally in front of the Parliament, where Levan Tsutskiridze, leader of the Freedom Square movement, read a joint statement on behalf of the parties. The goal, he said, is to "spread the political struggle in every city and village."
The opposition parties accuse the ruling Georgian Dream party and its founder Bidzina Ivanishvili of orchestrating what they call a "Russian special operation" disguised as elections.
"We, the 8 pro-Western forces, will not become accomplices of the regime in deceiving the citizens of Georgia," the statement read. "We will not participate in the Russian special operation of October 4."
The parties said they will continue to pursue international isolation of the Georgian government, and push for a complete systemic reset of the country's political order. They reiterated their demand for free and fair parliamentary elections as the only legitimate political process.
According to the statement, the parties have already taken steps including refusing parliamentary mandates and boycotting the recent investigative commission. They argue that peaceful resistance and non-cooperation are key strategies for dismantling what they call a "criminal regime."
"In order for change to occur and bring results that will return us to the historical path, a systemic reset of Georgian politics is vital," the statement reads.
