UNM leadership race faces tensions after ex-Pres Saakashvili’s co-chair proposal rejected, Bezhashvili

A proposal to introduce a co-chair leadership model within Georgia’s opposition United National Movement (UNM) has led to internal disagreements after the party’s current chair declined the offer, senior party member Levan Bezhashvili said on Wednesday.

Speaking about the ongoing leadership transition, Bezhashvili said the party is expected to gradually clarify its internal processes ahead of July 8, with additional candidates likely to emerge in the coming weeks.

He noted that former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili’s proposal to nominate journalist and public figure Nanuka Zhorzholiani for a leadership role remains a relevant issue within the party and continues to be discussed internally.

Bezhashvili added one of the key principles established by the UNM years ago was that the party chair should be elected directly by members. The current chair’s term expires on July 2, making a leadership transition both expected and necessary.

“It is normal in a democratic political organization that no one remains in office indefinitely. After the completion of each leadership cycle, a new chair should be given the opportunity to lead the party,” Bezhashvili said.

He stressed that Saakashvili had traditionally refrained from openly endorsing candidates in previous internal elections. This time, however, Saakashvili proposed a co-chair structure that would divide responsibilities between two individuals, including oversight of internal party reforms and external political affairs.

Bezhashvili argued that the proposal itself became a source of disagreement within the party, as many members believe that any changes to the leadership model should be decided through internal democratic processes.

“The rejection of the co-chair proposal, including by the party’s current chair, created dissonance within the party,” he said. “When the primary objective is party reform, consensus can usually be achieved.”

The UNM currently has at least two potential contenders for the leadership position - Tina Bokuchava, who is expected to run for chair, and Nanuka Zhorzholiani, who has been actively involved in the ongoing discussions.

Bezhashvili also noted that Anna Tsitlidze has neither confirmed nor ruled out a possible candidacy.