For the first time in the history of Georgia, the elections on October 26 will be conducted entirely on proportional basis. The Parliament will include  representatives from political parties that exceed the 5% threshold. It should also be noted that this year, for the first time, 90% of voters will cast their ballots electronically. Regarding the political significance of the upcoming elections, the president of Georgia, the civil society, and representatives of the opposition parties describe it as a "kind of referendum"—the country will continue its western course or return to the Russian sphere, transforming into "Caucasian Belarus."

What does the Georgian political landscape look like for the upcoming elections? Consultations regarding the unification or reunification of opposition parties have been ongoing for several months. The grand unification effort ultimately fell short, and two months before the election, the potential ballot stands as follows:

Giorgi Gakharia, the leader of the "For Georgia" party, is running  independently in the October elections. Despite his interest in forming a political alliance with the "Lelos" party, the proposed union did not materialize.

"We were the first political force to officially announce that we would participate in the 2024 election campaign and the elections independently, and nothing has changed in this regard. Of course, we talk a lot and work a lot, but when it comes to participating in the 2024 parliamentary elections, the party "For Georgia" is participating independently," stated the leader of the party, Giorgi Gakharia. In his party's first elections after he stepped down as Prime Minister, "For Georgia" received 7.8% of the vote in the 2021 municipal elections. The party's electoral number is - 25.

#5 – United National Movement

"Unity" is the name of the new alliance formed arround the the UNM, which will participate in the October 26 elections under a traditional electoral number - 5. This alliance includes two parties: "Strategy Agmashenebeli" and "European Georgia". Notably, the leaders Giga Bokeria and Tamar Chergoleishvili departed from "European Georgia" before its merger with the "National Movement" to establish a new platform called "Federalists." Currently, "European Georgia" is led by Akaki Bobokhidze and Gigi Tsereteli. Additionally, Khatia Dekanoidze has rejoined the National Movement after leaving in March 2023, where she previously collaborated with Roman Gotsiridze to form the parliamentary political group "Eurooptimists."

Additionally, several notable figures have joined the "Unity" alliance:

• Gia Japaridze, diplomat;
• Lasha Bakradze, historian; 
• Armaz Akhvlediani, a current member of Parliament from "European Georgia" and former political secretary of "Georgian Dream" from 2013 to 2016;
• Tamar Kordzaia, an independent member of Parliament and former majority leader of the "Georgian Dream" party in 2013, who previously belonged to the "Republican Party"

The party's founder and political leader is Mikheil Saakashvili, the third president of Georgia, who remains imprisoned. Tina Bokuchava, the current chairperson, emphasized that the UNM will be the primary force for unity and victory in the upcoming parliamentary elections, with President Saakashvili serving as the key motivator for the alliance's expansion and unification. In the last local elections, the party secured 30.7% of the nationwide vote under Nika Melia's leadership. After Nika Melia, Levan Khabeishvili took over as chairperson, and now Tina Bokuchava leads the former ruling party.

#9 – "Strong Georgia"

Another significant political force is "Lelo," which has united the newly established movement "Freedom Square," Aleko Elisashvili's party "Citizens," and Ana Dolidze's party "For the People." In the 2020 parliamentary elections, "Lelo" received 3.15% of the vote and gained four mandates in Parliament. In the 2021 local elections, it garnered 2.71% support nationwide.

• Ana Dolidze, an independent candidate, ran for the Didubi district majority in the 2020 elections, finishing third with 18% of the vote. The following year, she achieved 4.6% support in the Tbilisi mayoral election.
• Aleko Elisashvili entered politics in the 2014 local elections as an independent and secured a seat on the Tbilisi City Council. In 2017, he placed second in the Tbilisi mayoral race. He later founded the "Citizens" party before the 2020 parliamentary elections, which won 1.33% of the nationwide vote, allowing the party to enter Parliament with two mandates. Aleko Elisashvili and Levan Ioseliani became members of Parliament representing "Citizens," with Ioseliani later elected as public defender with the backing of "Georgian Dream."
• Levan Tsutskiridze, a member of "Freedom Square," previously led the non-governmental organization "Eastern European Multiparty Democracy Center" (EECMD).

According to "Lelo" founder Mamuka Khazaradze, the coalition formed around the party presents "an opportunity for real change." He emphasized that "Georgia does not need the return of old politicians rejected by the Georgian people." Additionally, on August 15, Davit Gamkrelidze, the former leader of the "New Right" party who stepped back from politics after the 2012 elections, was appointed as the head of the election headquarters for the alliance centered around "Lelo."

#4 – "Coalition for Change"

Nika Gvaramia, the ex-director of "Mtavari" TV, and Nika Melia, previously the chairman of the "United National Movement" party, have established the "Akhali" party. This new political entity has brought together Zurab Japaridze's "Girchi - More Freedom," Elene Khoshtaria's "Droa," and the "Republicans." Additionally, several members from the councils of Batumi, Zugdidi, Chiaturi, and Khobi municipalities have departed from the "National Movement" to join "Akhali."

• In the 2021 local self-government elections, Japaridze's "Girchi - More Freedom" garnered 1.4% of the national vote and 3.3% in Tbilisi.
• Elene Khoshtaria's "Droa" participated only in Tbilisi, Poti, and Batumi, achieving 2.1%, 0.9%, and 0.5% of the votes.

#41 - "Georgian Dream" and "People's Power"