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United National Movement, Georgia’s largest opposition party, presented on August 15 the mayoral candidates to run in October 2 local elections.

Earlier, party chairman Nika Melia was named as a joint candidate by several opposition parties, to run along with Elene Khoshtaria from the Droa party as head of the city assembly (Sakrebulo).

Among the top candidates is MP Khatia Dekanoidze who will join the mayoral race in Kutaisi, Imereti region, and MP Zaal Udumashvili who will run in Mtskheta, Mtskheta-Mtianeti region. The party named Anzor Melia, a famous cardiologist and Nika Melia’s father, as a mayoral candidate in Zugdidi, Samegrelo.

Davit Kirkitadze and Giorgi Kirtadze will run as joint opposition candidates in Rustavi, Shida Kartli, and Batumi, the coastal region of Adjara, respectively. According to Melia, further joint opposition candidates are to be agreed in other municipalities.

In Dmanisi, Kvemo Kartli region, the UNM will back the candidacy of Giorgi Katuashvili, the incumbent Mayor who runs as an independent.