Georgia is heading toward highly contentious local elections on october 4, 2025, as a deep political rift, an opposition boycott, and significant concerns over electoral transparency cast a shadow over the upcoming vote. While the ruling Georgian Dream party expresses confidence in a sweeping victory, a coalition of opposition groups has refused to participate, and key domestic and international observers will be absent.

The political landscape is sharply divided. Several prominent opposition parties, including the United National Movement, European Georgia, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, and others, have announced a boycott of the municipal elections. Their participation is conditioned on the government calling new parliamentary elections and releasing what they describe as political detainees. Despite the boycott, a recent poll by the Institute of Social Studies and Analysis (ISSA) found that 54.5% of Georgians surveyed believe the opposition should contest the elections.

In contrast, the ruling Georgian Dream party remains undeterred. Prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze has stated he is certain the party will win in all 64 municipalities. Furthering this stance, parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili suggested it would be "preferable" for "extremist, radical" opposition groups to abstain from the vote. Georgian Dream has already named 63 of its mayoral candidates, with incumbent Tbilisi mayor Kakha Kaladze running for a third term.

Amid the boycott, some opposition forces are preparing to compete. The Lelo party and Gakharia's For Georgia party have announced an agreement to cooperate for the local elections. Their chances were recently boosted by a significant presidential pardon. President Mikheil Kavelashvili pardoned Lelo's leaders, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, who had been sentenced for refusing to testify before a parliamentary commission. The pardon lifts a two-year ban on their eligibility for public office, allowing them to run in the elections.

Compounding the political tensions are serious concerns about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process. The Georgian government made the decision not to invite a monitoring mission from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), a move that has drawn criticism and raised questions about transparency.

These concerns are shared by domestic monitors. The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), a leading Georgian election watchdog, announced it will not observe the 2025 municipal elections. Citing legislative changes that restrict observers' rights and increased government pressure on civil society, ISFED stated it could not vouch for the fairness of the process.

The elections are scheduled to be held under the same rules as the 2017 local elections, with a 4% threshold for political parties to gain representation in local councils. The ruling party has indicated it will pass necessary amendments to the election code through an accelerated procedure to facilitate the process. With a divided opposition and the absence of key election monitors, Georgia faces a critical democratic test this autumn.