Ex-UNM chair announces new party

Nika Melia, the former chair of the United National Movement, on Thursday revealed plans to establish a new political party with his associates after leaving the UNM. 

He stressed the party would aim to “significantly contribute to Georgian democracy and will be formally established in the near future. We will commence our efforts on this initiative starting tomorrow”. 

He emphasized that the new party aspires to be a paragon of righteousness, with its principles anchored in qualifications and other pertinent criteria.

Melia once again directed criticism at the current leadership of the UNM, citing concerns about “informal governance,” with specific reference to the currently wanted former Defence Minister Davit Kezerashvili. Despite his criticisms of the party’s management, Melia refrained from disparaging Mikheil Saakashvili, the currently imprisoned former President. 

The UNM, Georgia’s largest opposition party and formerly the ruling party, has been grappling with internal conflicts for months.