Runoffs: UNM Pledges Coalition Governance in Kutaisi, Batumi, Poti

Several Georgian opposition parties, as well as independent politicians, have teamed up with the United National Movement for the October 30 mayoral runoffs in the self-governing cities of Batumi, Kutaisi and Poti, pledging to form coalition cabinets for the city halls. Earlier on October 20, the UNM and several opposition parties made similar pledge for Tbilisi, the capital.

Batumi

In the port city of Batumi, where frontrunner Giorgi Kirtadze (41.966%) of the UNM will face Georgian Dream’s Archil Chikovani (41.067%), the opposition parties made a concluding presentation.

Noting that the opposition parties represent already secured the majority in the Batumi City Council (Sakrebulo), Giorgi Kirtadze, UNM’s mayoral frontrunner pledged coalition governance for the city hall, if elected.

Lelo’s local leader and elected Batumi Sakrebulo member, Irakli Kupradze called for supporting Kirtadze: “By supporting Giorgi Kirtadze you support a coalition unity of Lelo, European Georgia, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, United Georgia, Droa parties and those civic activists that during the past decade and before defended your city together with you.”

In Batumi, Kirtadze’s Deputy mayoral picks are Genri Dolidze, writer and activist, Gocha Gugunava, independent, and Giorgi Tsintskiladze of United Georgia – Democratic Movement.

Kutaisi

In Kutaisi, UNM’s Mayoral hopeful Khatia Dekanoidze announced at the presentation the shadow cabinet for the City Hall, involving Lelo’s Ana Natsvlishvili, Imeda Kldiashvili of Girchi-More Freedom, sportsman Revaz Chomakhidze and ex-Girchi member Temur Tsamtsishvili as her Deputy Mayoral picks.

At the presentation on October 25 in Kutaisi, Dekanoidze also pledged to allow civil society organizations to pick the head of City Hall’s Audit Service.

Former Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze, leader of United Georgia party who hails from Kutaisi, Lelo party leader Badri Japaridze and Girchi-More Freedom leader Zurab Japaridze announced their support for Dekanoidze at the presentation.

Poti

Also on October 25, eight opposition parties – UNM, European Georgia, Lelo, Third Force – Strategy Aghmashenebeli, Girchi – More Freedom, Droa, United Georgia, and Free Georgia – signed a memorandum on coalition cooperation in the port city of Poti.

At the signatory ceremony, UNM’s Poti Mayoral candidate, Gigi Ugulava pledged to create a coalition government for the city hall, if elected and hailed coalition governance as the best mechanism for checks and balances.

He said they are also ready to cooperate with former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia’s For Georgia party.

Check below our interactive map for the first-round results:

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