Levan Khabeishvili is planning to run for UNM leader

On November 16, Levan Khabeishvili, United National Movement (UNM) member, declared his candidacy for the UNM leadership.

He promised to give the UNM back to its followers during today's briefing, saying, "I chose to take part in the elections and offer my candidacy to the UNM people."

"The UNM decided to undertake internal democratic elections to select a new head," he said.

Giorgi Chaladze withdraws from UNM chairmanship race

On the same day, Giorgi Chaladze, one of the opposition United National Movement leaders, declared his intention to leave the race for the seat.

According to Chaladze, the building of a headquarters for Saakashvili's release or the creation of structural units were of minor importance compared to the ex-president's situation, which demanded full attention.

"There ought to be widespread agreement. We need the procedures for President Saakashvili," Chaladze asserted. 

Giorgi Chaladze announced on November 11 on social media that he will run for the role of UNM chair.

United National Movement to develop party-chartered election rules

On November 15, United National Movement member Giorgi Baramidze stated that the opposition National Movement would develop an election procedure. "A working group including politically neutral individuals would have the regulation ready by November 22," he added.

"We are interested in doing elections shortly, but not quickly, leaving no room for concerns about the chairman's legitimacy," Baramidze continued.

Baramidze claimed that the primary goal was to fly former president Mikheil Saakashvili to a foreign country for life-saving medical care. Another objective was the release of Nika Gvaramia, the director of Mtavari Arkhi, and other political prisoners.

"However, the main goal is to peacefully remove the pro-Putin acting dictatorship from power through the elections. Members of the National Movement should act by this obligation," he said.

Vice-Speaker of Georgian Parliament: "United National Movement is Collapsing"

On November 15, Archil Talakvadze, the Vice-Speaker of the Parliament, said that the United National Movement (UNM) was collapsing.

In response to the opposition's criticism of the deoligarchization bill, Talakvadze pointed out that although the National Movement supported this law in Ukraine, they now want to introduce a different law out of political retaliation against Ivanishvili.

"We witnessed the opposition's inconsistency when they initially criticized us, claiming that the government would not pass the deoligarchization bill. However, as you can see, we have already passed it in the first reading. The Ukrainian model is comparable to this. Let us remind you that the National Movement had previously visited Ukraine and praised the country's adoption of this law. They are now defending their actions by claiming that oligarchy is different in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine and that everyone should adhere to traditional oligarchy law. They want to draft legislation that includes the national flag and appears to accept oligarchy as part of their traditions. We are aware of their desires," the Vice-Speaker of the Parliament added.

"When they lost the elections to Bidzina Ivanishvili and Georgian Dream in 2012, they suffered a very profound political trauma. Ever since then, this party has been living for political vengeance. They achieved their goal of holding unusual elections within their party in the country. They were destructive, and as a result, their party was ultimately destroyed. Since they cannot separate Kezerashvili, funding, media influence, and positions, the party is actually in the process of disintegrating. It is not surprising that this frustrates their supporters," Talakvadze concluded.

GD MP on United National Movement

The Georgian Dream parliamentarian Mikheil Sarjveladze commented on recent developments in the oppositional United National Movement (UNM), saying that it is evident to everyone that the National Movement is divided into multiples.

According to Sarjveladze, the opposition in Georgia has had a disaster and is attempting to form a new force.

"The group led by Akhalaia or Merabishvili will try to compile any remaining pieces, organize everything, and establish themselves as the legitimate heirs of the 'all-mighty' National Movement. They will attempt to build such simulators to preserve any remaining influence they might still have in society. There is genuine interest in this topic. There are always groups attempting to salvage anything helpful from a party destined to fail. This appears to be the cause of the disputes' visibility," Mikheil Sarjveladze said.

"The financial situation of Kezerashvili is a significant factor. These groups experience an awakening of their hunting instinct," Sarjveladze pointed out.

When a journalist questioned Sarjveladze about their complaints regarding National Movement Chairman Nika Melia, Sarjveladze responded: "I am unable to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of the National Movement's representatives. I am unable to praise the Nika Melia-led National Movement era of rule. I can confidently say that Nika Melia is the best person for the National Movement; this is a fact."

Read also: 

Controversy Within United National Movement

Tbilisi Mayor on MEPs' Stance on Georgia's EU Path and United National Movement

Nika Melia on Situation Between Opposition Parties