Opposition unity crucial to protests, sanctions, political alternative, leader Gvaramia

Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, has said opposition unity is essential to sustaining protests, securing international sanctions and presenting a political alternative in Georgia.

“The opposition’s strategy has been declared: protest at home, sanctions abroad, and an alternative. Those who reject unity, and even more so those who openly or covertly fight against any unity and seek to dismantle any alliance, are sabotaging all three directions,” Gvaramia wrote on social media.

He said unity and a credible political alternative were key public demands and essential to maintaining the protest movement, arguing that the 26 May rally had demonstrated the importance of showing people that protests could lead to political change.

“People need to see that protest can be translated into political action and that the political spectrum can bring about real change. Without this belief, protests also weaken, as disappointment leads to apathy,” he said.

Gvaramia also said unity and a political alternative were crucial to strengthening international confidence that change in Georgia was possible and that sanctions could help the country return to its Western path and restore democracy.

He urged political figures to consider whether they were fighting for personal political interests, to weaken rivals ahead of the 2028 elections, to avoid or leave prison, or “for the country and against Bidzina”.

“Everyone should think about what they are doing, what they want and what they intend to do,” Gvaramia wrote.