Georgian opposition slams President's offer to pardon jailed leaders if they end election boycott

Opposition parties in Georgia have rejected President Mikheil Kavelashvili’s offer to pardon imprisoned opposition leaders on the condition that they formally request clemency and declare their intent to participate in the upcoming local elections.

In a statement, Kavelashvili proposed granting immediate pardons to jailed political figures if they submit a written appeal and confirm their desire to run in the October 4 elections. According to him, the goal is to ensure “full political participation and equal campaign opportunities for all registered parties.”

The opposition, however, has dismissed the move as a political bargain aimed at forcing their involvement in elections they have called illegitimate.

Irakli Kupradze, Secretary General of the opposition party Lelo, called the president’s offer “a pitiful attempt” to manipulate the opposition and provide the ruling regime with much-needed legitimacy.

“There will be no request for pardon from an illegitimate president. We will show him the way toward the Russian warship,” Kupradze said, referencing the now-iconic phrase symbolizing resistance to Russian influence.

Kupradze emphasized that detained Lelo leaders Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze remain committed to their values and are unlikely to accept such a deal. “This is Bidzina Ivanishvili’s way of using moral dilemmas to pressure the opposition, but we will fight on all fronts.”

He also appealed to former President Salome Zurabishvili, calling for unity among pro-European forces: “Let’s unite and deliver Ivanishvili the one thing he fears most—solidarity and collective resistance.”

Tina Bokuchava, Chair of the United National Movement party, said the president’s statement confirms that the regime views participation of pro-European parties in the October vote as its only remaining path to legitimacy.

“This is a desperate move by a regime that’s clinging to international and domestic recognition. We won’t play along with their farce,” she stated.

Bokuchava added that jailed former President Mikheil Saakashvili, now in his fourth year of imprisonment, is unlikely to be affected by the offer and dismissed Kavelashvili as “a comic figure” executing orders drafted by Ivanishvili’s inner circle.

The Coalition for Change issued a stark statement, calling the president’s offer a “clear admission” that the regime is using jailed opposition leaders as bargaining chips to legitimize the local elections.

“The so-called president has revealed that the only way for the regime to survive is through participation of pro-European forces in a criminal, fake election process. Political leaders were imprisoned simply because they refused to accept falsified results and recognize the regime’s legitimacy,” the statement reads.

The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to non-cooperation and resistance: “We will not legitimize this regime at any stage. Victory lies in non-collaboration and continued defiance. To the end.”

The October 2025 local elections are set to be held amid mounting criticism from international bodies over 'democratic backsliding' and 'politically motivated prosecutions.'