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The opposition Lelo party has named Badri Japaridze as the majoritarian candidate in Rustavi parliamentary by-elections of April 2, after he was stripped of his legislative mandate by the Georgian Dream-led Parliament yesterday.

Japaridze on February 15 accused the GD party of political persecution and argued Lelo’s decision came in response to the “destructive move” by the governing party.

The Lelo leader told government-critical Formula TV he hopes the other opposition outfits will back his candidacy, arguing the opposition must present a “united front” in the Rustavi by-elections.

He stressed the need for the opposition to show their unity to the public and to “make a difference, a dynamic which should ultimately bring us real democratic change in this country.”