Levan Khabeishvili confirms to run for UNM chair

Laven Khabeishvili, a member of the United National Movement opposition party – the largest opposition group in the country, on Wednesday said he would run for the party’s chairmanship, following the demands of several members of the party last week to replace incumbent Nika Melia. 

In a briefing Khabeishvili said that he had made the decision after several days of consultations with his “friends and colleagues”, as he initially dismissed reports on his participation in the race. 

“My friends and colleagues have demanded internal democratic elections in the UNM, where a new chairman should be chosen by the voters. It is important that this idea was supported by the leaders of the party”, he said.  

 

“To strengthen the UNM,  I accept the challenge to return a strong, active party and, accordingly, to return a real, uncompromising opposition in Georgian politics”, Khabeishvili said. 

Melia stated that the briefing of the party members on inter-party race was “unexpected” and criticized them for the move. 

He claimed that he himself offered the elections a month ago and was ready to re-run for the post which he occupied in 2020. 

Some UNM members had accused Melia of being inactive over the release of imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili.