Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has expressed confidence that his party will secure a decisive victory in the upcoming local government elections. Speaking on the Imedi LIVE program, Kobakhidze asserted that his party would win "by a large margin" in all 64 municipalities.

"I can tell you with complete confidence that we will win the mayoral and city council elections in all 64 municipalities by a large margin," Kobakhidze stated.

However, a significant portion of the opposition has already announced its intention to boycott the elections, arguing that they are illegitimate under the current government and demanding new parliamentary elections first.

"They already tried something similar once when they refused to enter parliament, but in the end, they did. I recall the events of four years ago. Now they say they won’t participate in local elections... The opposition will probably find it difficult to take part, given that they have spent years claiming that the government, the prime minister, and even the president are illegitimate. And yet, they will have to participate in elections organized by President Kavelashvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze," he said.

Kobakhidze further claimed that the opposition is in a difficult position, citing ongoing protests calling for new elections.

"They hold rallies of 300 people every day, blocking streets for an hour before going home. In doing so, they contribute tens of thousands of lari to the state budget daily, for which we can thank them. As for the opposition parties themselves, they are completely disoriented. Their internal conflicts are severe, let alone their inter-party relations," he remarked.

Local government elections in Georgia are scheduled for October 2025.

Kobakhidze on the "Deep State"

During the interview, the Georgian PM also addressed what he called the influence of the "Deep State". According to Kobakhidze, this influence is particularly strong in Europe, especially in the Baltic states, leading to what he described as "frivolous decisions regarding Georgia."

"If we separate the US and European countries from each other, there may be a better perspective in the US for qualitative improvements, but let’s wait and see how events unfold. As for the European Union, the situation is much more complicated because it consists of 27 countries. Some countries remain unaffected by the 'Deep State,' but others are under the full control of the 'Global War Party.' These include the Baltic and Scandinavian countries. The Baltic states, in particular, have crossed all red lines, which is why they are making completely frivolous decisions about Georgia," he stated.

Kobakhidze further argued that Europe has been a more fertile ground for "Deep State" influence, allowing its expansion even at the highest levels of government.

"In Europe, it was easier for the 'Deep State' to establish itself and expand its network, including within top government structures. We must be prepared for any developments. Over the past three years, we have endured extremely difficult processes—especially in the first few weeks and months after the start of the war. I believe that no external force can interfere with us beyond that," he concluded.