Georgia’s jailed former president Mikheil Saakashvili on Tuesday called on the opposition United National Movement (UNM) to transform into what he described as a resistance movement against what he termed a “Russian dictatorship” in the country.
In a lengthy statement published on social media, Saakashvili urged the party to adopt a new, fully electronic system of internal decision-making, based on parity between party leadership, himself, and the wider base of supporters. The proposals come amid what he described as increasing political repression in Georgia and a broader effort by the ruling party to eliminate opposition forces.
“Now is not the time to get tired and give up, but to mobilize and attack,” Saakashvili wrote, accusing the government of working in coordination with Moscow to dismantle the democratic institutions built during his presidency.
Saakashvili alleged that Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and honorary chair of the ruling party, had been brought to power in 2012 by Russian intelligence to halt Georgia’s Western trajectory. “Georgia has been ruled by a collaborationist regime since 2012,” he said. “The Russian regime has been working in a hybrid way to return the Georgian people to slavery.”
The former president, who led Georgia from 2004 to 2013, said the UNM must evolve from a traditional political party into a broader movement aimed at resisting authoritarianism and restoring democracy. Central to this transformation, he proposed, was a new model of governance within the party.
“All major decisions – including protest actions, election strategies, internal appointments, and alliances – should be made through electronic voting after consultations with voters, the party’s leadership, and myself,” Saakashvili said. The proposed system would involve registered supporters worldwide, who would pay a nominal fee and participate in shaping the party’s direction.
While reaffirming the UNM’s commitment to unifying Georgia’s pro-democracy forces, Saakashvili stressed the importance of making supporters feel “they are the true masters of the party.” He added that the party “cannot be governed solely by his letters from prison or decisions made by a small inner circle, regardless of their talents”.
The statement also highlighted the contributions of both veteran UNM members and a new generation of politically active youth, calling their collaboration “vital” to Georgia’s future.
Saakashvili concluded his remarks by tasking several senior party figures – including Tina Bokuchava, Levan Khabeishvili, and Giorgi Baramidze – with drafting the legal and technological framework for the proposed internal reforms. He called for these proposals to be included in the party charter following thorough consultation with active members.
