Girchi Leader Not to Vote for Any Candidate in Runoff

Zurab Japaridze, the presidential candidate of Girchi, who got 2.26% of votes during the first round held on October 28, says he is not going to vote for any candidate in the runoff that will take place on November 28.

However, in late October Japaridze announced he would support United Opposition candidate Grigol Vashadze in the second round, even though this candidate is not as unacceptable for him as Salome Zourabichvili, backed by the ruling Georgian Dream (GD). In addition, Japaridze said that he would not call on his supporters to vote for any candidate.

On November 22 Japaridze took to Facebook to express his concern about both presidential candidates. He explains that there is so much “dirt” ahead of the runoff that he changed his mind and will reject both candidates.

“I am lying to myself. I watch all this dirt and put up with it…I am not going to vote for any of the candidates during the runoff,” his Facebook post reads.

The final results of the first round of elections, published by the Georgian Central Election Commission (CEC) showed that the GD-backed presidential candidate got 38.65% of votes, followed by Grigol Vashadze - 37.74%.

Some opposition parties stated they would support Vashadze, as Zourabichvili’s candidacy was unacceptable for them.

Parliamentary Minority European Georgia called on its supporters to vote for Vashadze, as their candidate David Bakradze received only 10.97% of votes and came third in the first round.

Republican Party also expressed support to Vashadze.

“In the first round we voted against Zurabishvili and of course in the second round we will do the same and support Vashadze,” the party Chair Khatuna Samnidze said.