October 5, 2025 - The South Caucasus News - SouthCaucasusNews.com

Georgia’s Interior Ministry hinted at more arrests in connection with the October 4 unrest in Tbilisi, warning to treat upcoming rallies as a “continuation” of “yesterday’s attempt” and fueling concerns that authorities may use the unrest as a pretext to target peaceful protests.

The ministry stated on October 5 it would “take all relevant measures in the coming days to identify those who violated the law and to enforce the law against them,” hinting at further arrests after five organizers of the October 4 “peaceful revolution” rally were already detained overnight. Georgian Dream PM Irakli Kobakhidze said last night that he assumes more than 30 people could be arrested.

“Furthermore, based on yesterday’s events, we have grounds to deem any assembly held today or in the coming days as a continuation of yesterday’s attempt. We will take appropriate measures to ensure public order and safety are not endangered,” the ministry added.

“We call on everyone to take this circumstance into account and refrain from any actions that may become grounds for legal measures against them,” the ministry warned.

The unrest unfolded in Tbilisi on October 4, when one group of protesters gathered at a rally calling for the “peaceful overthrow” of the GD government, held in parallel with local elections, headed to occupy the presidential palace following a call by rally organizers. A much larger group of protesters, however, stayed at Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue for a peaceful rally. Five organizers, including UNM member Murtaz Zodelava and opera singer Paata Burchuladze, were arrested after midnight on multiple criminal charges, including attempting to overthrow the constitutional order and leading and organizing group violence.

The Interior Ministry’s warning about treating upcoming rallies as “continuation” comes as Georgia’s anti-government protests are set to continue. The demonstrations have mostly remained peaceful for nearly a year. Several opposition parties have, from the outset, been skeptical of the planned “peaceful revolution” and criticized the organizers of yesterday’s rally for what they considered to have harmed the broader peaceful protest movement. One of them, the Federalists party, has scheduled a rally today at 8 pm on Rustaveli Avenue, where protesters have blocked the traffic every night for more than 310 days.

Tamar Chergoleishvili, leader of the Federalists, responded on Facebook to the Interior Ministry’s warnings about upcoming rallies, stressing that the protests “will not cease” and “will be peaceful.”

“Thousands of people stood stubbornly and peacefully on Rustaveli Avenue, while the adventurist loudmouths were calling on them to storm whatever buildings they could find,” Chergoleishvili wrote. “We will stand peacefully and will continue to undermine the regime, the legitimacy of which stands on chicken legs.” She added that the events of October 4 showed that the organizers of the unrest have “no support within the protest movement.”

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According to preliminary official results from the Central Election Commission, with all 3,061 precincts counted nationwide, Georgian Dream has secured a sweeping victory in both proportional and mayoral races across all 64 municipalities in the October 4 local elections, which were held under a partial opposition boycott and with limited independent observation.

Preliminary results show Georgian Dream winning municipalities with more than 70% of the vote, with its share exceeding 80% and 90% in many constituencies, while the GD’s mayoral candidates ran unchallenged in nearly half of the municipalities. Nationwide, support for the ruling party stood at 81.68%.

Source: Preliminary results by the Central Election Commission

Official turnout was recorded at 40.93%, lower than in the previous municipal elections. The capital saw the lowest participation, with only 31.08% of eligible voters casting their ballots in Tbilisi, where the official results declared Kakha Kaladze, the incumbent mayor, as a winner.

The vote took place under a repressive political and legal environment, and with a parallel mass rally in downtown Tbilisi, drawing possibly the biggest since the initial weeks of November-December protests that erupted in response to Georgian Dream halting EU integration. Tensions escalated when a group of protesters attempted to occupy the presidential palace at the organizers’ call, leading to clashes, police dispersal, and the eventual arrest of organizers.

Georgian Dream officials argued they had received more actual votes than in previous local elections and a tally close to last year’s disputed parliamentary polls.

Number of actual votes received by Georgian Dream in local elections, according to the CEC

Below are the official results of the proportional and mayoral races in all 64 municipalities:

Tbilisi

Proportional: GD – 70%, Lelo/Strong Georgia – 9.9%, Girchi – 7.7%, Conservatives for Georgia – 4.3%, Gakharia/For Georgia – 3.2%

Mayoral:

(41) Georgian Dream – Kakha Kaladze – 71.6%
(9) Irakli Kupradze (Lelo Strong Georgia/Gakharia For Georgia) – 12.3%
(36) Iago Khvichia (Girchi) – 7.6%
(1) Teimuraz Bokelavadze (Homeland, Language, Faith) – 0.8%
(3) Zurab Makharadze (Conservatives for Georgia) – 4%
(7) Kakha Kukava (Free Georgia) – 1.5%
(8) Otar Chitanava (Alliance of Patriots) – 0.9%
(12) Giorgi Gachechiladze (Greens’ Party) – 0.8%
(11) Giorgi Liluashvili (Georgia) – 0.5%

Sagarejo:

Proportional: GD – 89%, opposition combined: 11%

Mayoral:

(41) Vakhtangi Kakutashvili (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Gurjaani:

Proportional: GD – 90%, opposition combined: 10%

Mayoral:

(41) Giorgi Machavariani (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Signaghi

Proportional: GD – 88%, opposition combined – 12%

Mayoral:

(41) Malkhazi Begiashvili (Georgian Dream) – 92.3%
(9) Nodari Vardiashvili (Lelo-Strong Georgia) – 7.7%

Dedoplistskaro:

Proportional: GD – 87.7%, opposition combined – 12.3%

Mayoral:

(41) Nikoloz Janiashvili (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Lagodekhi:

Proportional: GD – 89.2%, opposition combined – 10.8%

Mayoral:

(41) Jondo Mdivnishvili (Georgian Dream) – 96.1%
(9) Vano Zurabashvili (Lelo-Strong Georgia) – 3.9%

Kvareli:

Proportional: GD – 86.9%, opposition combined – 13.1%

Mayoral:

(41) Ilia Mzekalashvili (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Telavi:

Proportional: GD – 84.1%, opposition combined – 15.9%

Mayoral:

(41) Vazha Maghradze (Georgian Dream) – 91.6%
(25) Zaza Japaridze (Gakharia For Georgia) – 8.4%

Akhmeta:

Proportional: GD – 83.7%, opposition combined – 16.3%

Mayoral:

(41) Aleksi Pitskhalauri (Georgian Dream) – 90.9%
(25) Mate Tsveraidze (Gakharia For Georgia) – 9.1%

Tianeti:

Proportional: GD – 83.1%, opposition combined – 16.9%

Mayoral:

(41) Levan Tsiklauri (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Rustavi:

Proportional: GD – 74%, opposition combined – 26%

Mayoral:

(41) Nino Latsabidze (Georgian Dream) – 92%
(25) Tamar Kekenadze (Gakharia For Georgia) – 8%

Gardabani:

Proportional: GD – 94.7%, opposition combined – 5.3%

Mayoral:

(41) Daviti Kargareteli (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Marneuli:

Proportional: GD – 90.3%, opposition combined – 9.7%

Mayoral:

(41) Dauri Ismailovi (Georgian Dream) – 91.3%
(9) Asad Alievi (Lelo-Strong Georgia) – 7.1%
(5) Ali Badirovi (Our United Georgia) – 1.5%

Bolnisi:

Proportional: GD- 94%, opposition combined – 6%

Mayoral:

(41) Zamuri Chitanava (Georgian Dream) – 96.7%
(9) Asaf Chiragovi (Lelo-Strong Georgia, withdrew for GD) – 3.3%

Dmanisi:

Proportional: GD – 92.7%, opposition combined – 13.3%

Mayoral:

(41) Koba Muradashvili (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Tsalka:

Proportional: GD – 88.5%, opposition combined – 11.5%

Mayoral:

(41) Ilia Sabadze (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Tetritskaro:

Proportional: GD – 87%, opposition combined – 13%

Mayoral:

(41) Mikheil Aptsiauri (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Mtskheta:

Proportional: GD – 84%, opposition combined – 16%

Mayoral:

(41) Gogi Abuashvili (Georgian Dream) – 90.2%
(25) Tamar Lomitashvili (Gakharia For Georgia) – 9.8%

Dusheti:

Proportional: GD – 81.2%, opposition combined – 8.8%

Mayoral:

(41) Kakhaber Chitauri (Georgian Dream) – 89.3%
(25) Lasha Tskhadadze (Gakharia For Georgia) – 10.7%

Kazbegi:

Proportional: GD – 76.7%, opposition combined – 23.3%

Mayoral:

(41) Koba Geladze (Georgian Dream) – 94%
(9) Saba Chkareuli (Lelo Strong Georgia) – 4%
(42) Marekh Chopikashvili (independent) – 2%

Kaspi:

Proportional: GD – 85.1%, opposition combined – 14.9%

Mayoral:

(41) Vakhtang Maisuradze (Georgian Dream) – 92.4%
(25) Tatia Broladze (Gakharia For Georgia) – 7.6%

Gori:

Proportional: GD – 80.8%, opposition combined – 19.2%

Mayoral:

(41) Konstantine Buzaladze (Georgian Dream) – 87.1%
(9) Nikoloz Doliashvili (Lelo-Strong Georgia) – 12.9%

Kareli:

Proportional: GD – 84.8%, opposition combined – 15.2%

Mayoral:

(41) Zaza Guliashvili (Georgian Dream) – 92.3%
(7) Zviadi Mekvabidze (Free Georgia) – 7.8%

Khashuri:

Proportional: GD – 77%, opposition combined – 23%

Mayoral:

(41) Paata Chaduneli (Georgian Dream) – 77.5%
(42) Valeri Gelashvili – independent – 22.5%

Borjomi:

Proportional: GD – 84.2%, opposition combined – 15.8%

Mayoral:

(41) Mamuka Gelashvili (Georgian Dream) – 90.4%
(9) Izolda Lomidze (Gakharia For Georgia) – 9.6%

Akhaltsikhe:

Proportional: GD – 88.9%, opposition combined – 11.1%

Mayoral:

(41) Varlam Tsiklauri (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Adigeni:

Proportional: GD – 90.6%, opposition combined – 9.4%

Mayoral:

(41) Gocha Kimadze (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Aspindza:

Proportional: GD – 92%, opposition combined – 8%

Mayoral:

(41) Rostom Magrakvelidze (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Akhalkalaki:

Proportional: GD – 97%, opposition combined – 3%

Mayoral:

(41) Melkon Makarian (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Ninotsminda:

Proportional: GD – 98.3%, opposition combined – 1.7%

Mayoral:

(41) Anivard Mosoian (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Oni:

Proportional: GD – 73.2%, opposition combined – 26.9%

Mayoral:

(41) Davit Lobzhanidze (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Ambrolauri:

Proportional: GD – 81.7%, opposition combined – 18.3%

Mayoral:

(41) Zaza Kevanishvili (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Tsageri:

Proportional: GD – 82.3%, opposition combined – 17.7%

Mayoral:

(41) Chabuki Chabukiani (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Lentekhi:

Proportional: GD – 82.4%, opposition combined – 17.6%

Mayoral:

(41) Giorgi Gazdeliani (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Mestia:

Proportional: GD – 85.4%, opposition combined – 14.6%

Mayoral:

(41) Kapiton Zhorzholiani – (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Kharagauli:

Proportional: GD – 83.2%, opposition combined – 16.8%

Mayoral:

(41) Koba Lursmanashvili – (Georgian Dream) – 84.4%
(9) Inga Maghradze – (Lelo-Strong Georgia) – 15.6%

Terjola:

Proportional: GD – 86.5%, opposition combined – 13.5%

Mayoral:

(41) Georgian Dream – Manuchar Robakidze – 94.5%
(25) Suliko Zarnadze – (Gakharia For Georgia) – 5.5%

Sachkhere:

Proportional: GD – 93%, opposition combined – 7%

Mayoral:

(41) Levani Ivanashvili – (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Zestaponi:

Proportional: GD – 83.7%, opposition combined – 16.3%

Mayoral:

(41) Vakhtang Ghambashidze – (Georgian Dream) – 89.5%
(25) Kartlos Peranidze – (Gakharia For Georgia) – 6.8%
(11) Gigi Nebieridze – (Georgia) – 3.7%

Baghdati:

Proportional: GD – 85.9%, opposition combined – 14.1%

Mayoral:

(41) Nodar Giorgidze – Georgian Dream – 100%

Vani:

Proportional: GD – 91%, opposition combined – 9%

Mayoral:

(41) Aleksandre Gogorishvili – (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Samtredia:

Proportional: GD – 84.1%, opposition combined – 15.9%

Mayoral:

(41) Davit Bakhtadze – (Georgian Dream) – 92,3%
(9) Badri Vashakidze – (Lelo-Strong Georgia) – 7.7%

Khoni:

Proportional: GD – 88.2%, opposition combined – 11.8%

Mayoral:

(41) Lado Jurkhadze – (Georgian Dream) – 94.4%
(9) Gela Bobokhidze – (Lelo-Strong Georgia) – 5.6%

Chiatura:

Proportional: GD – 82.7%, opposition combined – 17.3%

Mayoral:

(41) Givi Modebadze – (Georgian Dream) – 89.6%
(25) Zaza Chumburidze – (Gakharia For Georgia) – 10.4%

Tkibuli:

Proportional: GD – 86.8%, opposition combined – 13.2%

Mayoral:

(41) Davit Kublashvili – (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Tskaltubo:

Proportional: GD – 87.3%, opposition combined – 12.7%

Mayoral:

(41) Genadi Balanchivadze (Georgian Dream) – 92.3%
(25) Ketevan Bakaradze – (Gakharia For Georgia) – 7.7%

Kutaisi:

Proportional: GD – 77.4%, opposition combined – 22.6%

Mayoral:

(41) Daviti Eremeishvili – (Georgian Dream) – 85.7%
(25) Paata Zakareishvili – (Gakharia For Georgia) – 8%
(11) Giorgi Amaghlobeli – (Georgia) – 6.3%

Ozurgeti:

Proportional: GD – 86.7%, opposition combined – 13.3%

(41) Paata Kunchulia – (Georgian Dream) – 90.7%
(25) Aleksandre Menabde – (Gakharia For Georgia) – 9.3%

Lanchkhuti:

Proportional: GD – 79.4%, opposition combined – 20.6%

(41) Aleksandre Sarishvili – (Georgian Dream) – 88.4%
(25) Davit Chkhaidze – (Gakharia For Georgia) – 11.6%

Chokhatauri:

Proportional: GD – 81.9%, opposition combined – 18.1%

(41) Mindia Zhgheria (Georgian Dream) – 90.7%
(9) Nugzari Chkhivadze – (Lelo-Strong Georgia) – 9.3%

Abasha:

Proportional: GD – 79.3%, opposition combined – 20.7%

(41) Giga Gabelaia – (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Senaki:

Proportional: GD – 80.6%, opposition combined – 19.4%

(41) Vakhtang Gadelia – (Georgian Dream) – 85.1%
(25) Joni Torchinava – (Gakharia For Georgia) – 12.1%
(7) Besiki Tsuleiskiri – (Free Georgia) – 2.7%

Martvili:

Proportional: GD – 80.6%, opposition combined – 19.4%

(41) Giorgi Nachkebia – (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Khobi:

Proportional: GD – 83.6%, opposition combined – 16.4%

(41) Davit Bukia – (Georgian Dream) – 88.1%
(9) Iuri Bukia – (Lelo-Strong Georgia) – 11.9%

Zugdidi:

Proportional: GD – 84.8%, opposition combined – 15.2%

(41) Dato Kodua – (Georgian Dream) – 88.8%
(9) Giorgi Todua – (Lelo-Strong Georgia) – 9.6%
(11) Ramaz Chachibaia – (Georgia) – 1.4%

Tsalenjikha:

Proportional: GD – 72%, opposition combined – 28%

(41) Guba Sajaia – (Georgian Dream) – 75%
(25) Khvicha Mebonia – (Gakharia For Georgia) – 25%

Chkhorotsku:

Proportional: GD – 79.6%, opposition combined – 20.4%

(41) Jumber Izoria (Georgian Dream) – 86.5%
(25) Malkhaz Gakharia – (Gakharia For Georgia) – 10.9%
(42) Odishar Lagvilava – (Independent) – 2.4%

Poti:

Proportional: GD – 86.4%, opposition combined – 13.6%

(41) Beka Vacharadze – (Georgian Dream) – 100%

Batumi:

Proportional: GD – 76.8%, opposition combined – 23.2%

(41) Giorgi Tsintsadze – (Georgian Dream) – 80.6%
(25) Gocha Gugunava – (Gakharia For Georgia) – 10.3%
(5) Zviad Kvirikadze – (Our United Georgia) – 4.2%
(42) Kakhaber Tsiskaridze – (Independent) – 2.4%
(1) Tamar Mikeladze – (Homeland, Language, Faith) – 2.3%

Keda:

Proportional: GD – 86.7%, opposition combined – 13.3%

(41) Mamuka Turmanidze – (Georgian Dream) – 91.1%
(9) Ramaz Davitadze – (Lelo-Strong Georgia) – 8.9%

Kobuleti:

Proportional: GD – 89.7%, opposition combined – 10.3%

(41) Irakli Tsetskhladze – (Georgian Dream) – 92.3%
(9) Paata Tsivadze – (Lelo-Strong Georgia) – 5.2%
(5) Telmani Meskhidze – (Our United Georgia) – 2.5%

Shuakhevi:

Proportional: GD – 84.6%, opposition combined – 15.4%

(41) Omar Takidze – (Georgian Dream) – 90.3%
(9) Natia Mgeladze – (Lelo-Strong Georgia) – 9.7%

Khelvachauri:

Proportional: GD – 83.5%, opposition combined – 16.5%

(41) Zaza Diasamidze – (Georgian Dream) – 88.3%
(9) Badri Mamuladze – (Lelo-Strong Georgia) – 11.7%

Khulo:

Proportional: GD – 83.6%, opposition combined – 16.4%

(41) Vakhtang Beridze – (Georgian Dream) – 86.5%
(25) Irakli Bolkvadze – (Gakharia For Georgia) – 10%
(14) Zia Saginadze – (People’s State) – 3.4%

Also Read:

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