Lelo Executive Secretary Dea Metreveli resigns over party's election decision

Dea Metreveli, Executive Secretary and Political Council member of the opposition party Lelo for Georgia, announced her resignation on Saturday in protest of the party’s decision to participate in the 2025 local elections as part of the Strong Georgia coalition.

In a statement posted on social media, Metreveli criticized the move as inconsistent with the broader national struggle against Georgia’s ruling regime and incompatible with the sacrifices made by imprisoned party leaders Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze.

“As one of Lelo’s founders, I have always believed our decisions must reflect our commitment to a broader national movement,” she said. “Unfortunately, in the case of the so-called local elections, no unified strategy was agreed upon with the wider opposition and civil society.”

Metreveli argued that a fragmented approach—where some parties boycott the elections while others participate—undermines the shared goal of freeing political prisoners and achieving fair parliamentary elections.

“The decision announced today by Strong Georgia is not a consistent path for our common struggle, especially considering the principled and dignified stand taken by Mamuka and Badri, who remain imprisoned for their beliefs,” she added.

Despite stepping down from her leadership roles, Metreveli confirmed that she will remain active in the broader democratic movement.

“I remain committed to the fight that unites us all—the liberation of Georgia and its European future. Freedom for all political prisoners. The struggle continues—until victory!”

Her resignation comes amid growing internal dissent within the opposition over how to approach the 2025 municipal elections, scheduled for October 4. Earlier today, the Strong Georgia coalition formally announced it would participate in the vote, marking a significant strategic shift in the opposition landscape. Before Metreveli, Saba Buadze, head of opposition party Lelo’s Tbilisi branch and a member of the party’s political council, announced his resignation from both positions.