Georgian Dream Wins All Local Elections Amid Mass Protests, Opposition Boycott

Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party secured a sweeping victory in recent local elections, winning every mayoral race, including Tbilisi where incumbent Kakha Kaladze was re-elected with over 77% of the vote. The elections were marked by a boycott from major pro-Western opposition parties alleging vote rigging and government intimidation, which left many Georgian Dream candidates running unopposed. Despite the official results, mass protests erupted in Tbilisi with demonstrators attempting to reach the presidential palace, leading to clashes with police who used tear gas, water cannons, and pepper spray to disperse crowds. Authorities arrested five opposition leaders accused of attempting to violently overthrow the government, with potential prison sentences up to nine years. International election monitoring was limited, with only 28 organizations observing, notably absent was the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, which declined a late invitation. The elections and subsequent unrest highlight ongoing political tensions in Georgia amid concerns over democratic processes and foreign influence.