Ana Natsvlishvili resigns from Lelo political council over local elections disagreement

Georgian opposition politician Ana Natsvlishvili has announced her resignation from the political council of the Lelo for Georgia party, citing disagreement with the party's recent decision regarding participation in the upcoming local self-government elections.

In a statement shared on social media, Natsvlishvili wrote:

"I cannot share the decision made by my teammates on the local elections, nor will I participate in implementing it. Therefore, I have left the political council of Lelo."

She emphasized that throughout her political career, she has always acted according to her beliefs and what she considered right, acknowledging that she has made mistakes but has always taken responsibility for them.

Natsvlishvili criticized the failure to establish a unified, strategic platform for pro-Western political forces following the October 26 incident, which she referred to as a "Russian special operation." According to her, such a format — originally proposed by Lelo leader Mamuka Khazaradze — was meant to bring together legitimately elected representatives, civil society, activists, and other political actors in a coordinated fight against the regime.

“This format was never established. I don’t know why or because of whom, but this is a serious problem,” she noted.

She expressed disappointment over the lack of unity around the local elections and argued that had the proposed platform been formed, events might have unfolded differently.

Natsvlishvili described her decision to leave Lelo's political council as difficult, particularly given that two of the party's leaders are currently imprisoned.

“It’s also hard because I have dear friends in Lelo. But I feel responsible before the public, and remaining silent would not be the right thing to do.”

Rejecting any accusations that members of the party were "bought," she stressed that people she deeply respects genuinely believe in the current approach — even if she strongly disagrees.

Natsvlishvili reaffirmed her commitment to the core ideas that led her to join Lelo: a free, European, strong, and just Georgia.

“Wherever I am, I will continue to fight for the ideals that brought me to Lelo and have driven me for 20 years.”

She concluded her statement with a call for the release of political prisoners and reaffirmed her hope for Georgia’s future:

“Freedom for political prisoners! Freedom for Georgia! May God help our country at this historic crossroads.”