Three opposition parties in Georgia - Lelo, Anna Dolidze’s For the People party, and the newly established Freedom Square - have announced that they will unite ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for October. The parties announced their coalition on Wednesday, a week after three other opposition groups, Ahali, Droa, and Girchi - More Freedom, whose leaders have all previously been affiliated with the UNM - formed their own electoral coalition. 

They will be joined by Anna Dolidze-led left-leaning For the People party, and Freedom Square, a newly established political group primarily composed of individuals with no prior political affiliation.

Lelo, founded by Mamuka Khazaradze, seeks to appeal to voters and parties dissatisfied with both the current and former ruling parties. Khazaradze’s involvement with the stalled Anaklia Deep Sea Port project, which he claims was sabotaged by the government, fueled his decision to establish Lelo.

Anna Dolidze’s For the People party offers a distinct left-leaning perspective in a generally center-right, pro-Western political landscape. Dolidze, a prominent critic of the judiciary, has voiced concerns about the influence of former associates of billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili within the government, aligning her views with liberal groups.

Freedom Square, a newly formed party led by Levan Tsutskiridze, is attracting individuals with strong professional backgrounds and limited political experience. Tsutskiridze, a key figure in recent protests against a controversial foreign agent law, aims to build a party that offers a fresh alternative.

These new parties, along with President Salome Zourabichvili’s growing criticism of Georgian Dream, indicate a potential shift in Georgian politics. With the upcoming elections, the landscape is likely to change, as these parties compete for a foothold in the country’s political system.