Ex-UNM chair Melia, former media manager Gvaramia form party ahead of elections

Nika Melia, the former chair of the United National Movement, and Nika Gvaramia, the former director general of the Mtavari Arkhi TV channel, on Monday announced the formation of a new political party Ahali (New) ahead of the October general elections in Georgia. 

 

In his comments Gvaramia, who was last year pardoned by the president following his conviction for illegal commercial deals while at the helm of the Rustavi 2 TV channel, stressed “we stand united, advocating for fresh approaches to bring about change in Georgia. We understand the challenges and the sacrifices required for serving our country. We are prepared to confront obstacles and respond to challenges with determination”. 

 

Melia, who was last year defeated in the chairmanship race by incumbent Levan Khabeishvili, accusing the former UNM officials of running the party from the backstage, disclosed the discussions leading to the formation of the party had been ongoing for approximately three months. 

 

Among the founding members have been named Giorgi Kirtadze, the former head of the Batumi organization of the UNM, Giorgi Imedashvili, another former member of the party, and Maia Kopaleishvili, a former judge of the Constitutional Court. The party will be designated with the number 4 on the ballot, its members announced.

 

Melia’s departure from the UNM on December 7, 2023, following his defeat in the party’s leadership election, foreshadowed his intention to establish a new political entity. On December 28 of the same year, Gvaramia announced the formation of a political alliance on the Mtavari Arkhi TV channel, emphasizing its reliance on “new faces.” 

 

Consequently, he relinquished his position as director general and divested his shares in the media outlet. Reacting to Melia and Gvaramia’s union, Ana Tsitlidze, the UNM MP, remarked to journalists that, given the absence of any attempt to revive the UNM over the past 12 years, she did not anticipate any carryover from the party.

 

She further underscored the UNM, along with Mikheil Saakashvili, the currently imprisoned former President and the founder of the party in office between 2004-2012, as the “primary force” poised to challenge the ruling power in the forthcoming race. 

 

Iago Khvichia, an MP of the Girchi opposition party, claimed the new party would either have to join the UNM or its affiliates, or merge with other opposition groups to overcome the five percent election threshold. 

 

The GD says only the UNM was expected to overcome the barrier, labeling Gvaramia and Melia, both former UNM officials, as the part of the “radical opposition” and “closely connected” with the former ruling force.