Ex-Pres Saakashvili urges Ahali to join his UNM for elections

Mikheil Saakashvili, the imprisoned former President of Georgia and founder of the United National Movement (UNM), on Thursday called on Ahali, a party established by former UNM chair Nika Melia and ex-TV manager Giorgi Gvaramia, to form a united front ahead of the upcoming October general elections.

Saakashvili made this appeal during a court session related to the 2007 rally dispersal case, which took place during his presidency. He reiterated his long-standing proposal to unite political forces, stating, “From the beginning, it was my initiative to unite us all. Since that hasn’t worked out, I am again extending this call to Ahali so we can still unite… UNM will take first place in all scenarios in these elections, I have no doubt.”

The former president also touched on the ongoing political dynamics, referencing the negotiations between the Strong Georgia coalition and the Gakharia for Georgia party, which ended without an electoral alliance. Saakashvili, possibly unaware of this outcome, commented, “I welcome the merger of two entities, despite many questions [towards former Prime Minister under Georgian Dream, Giorgi Gakharia], because this is a step in the right direction.”