Nine opposition parties form alliance vowing to ‘end ‘Ivanishvili’s rule’

Nine opposition parties in Georgia have announced the formation of a unified alliance, agreeing on a common strategy and joint rules of action aimed at defeating what they described as the “autocratic regime” of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and honorary chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party.

In a joint statement on Monday, the Alliance of Democratic Opposition Parties of Georgia said the signatories had agreed on a shared strategy and coordinated protest and communication efforts.

“Today, the democratic opposition parties of Georgia agree on a common strategy and joint rules of action and declare that through our joint efforts we will free Georgia from Bidzina Ivanishvili’s autocratic regime, restore the country’s Euro-Atlantic course and ensure democratic governance, national security and the wellbeing of the Georgian people,” the statement said.

The alliance said its agreement rested on several principles, including “unity without uniformity”, meaning that member parties would retain their ideological identities while coordinating protest actions and messaging. The group also pledged to demonstrate both domestically and internationally that it represented a democratic alternative to what it called an oligarchic and autocratic system.

The parties pledged that only a democratic alternative focused on citizens’ interests could defeat “authoritarian rule.”

They said decision-making within the alliance would be based on equality among participants and the free expression of will, without external influence.

The statement also highlited the need for broad political and public consensus, with the aim of defeating the current leadership through free and fair elections and forming a democratic coalition government to implement necessary reforms.

The signatories agreed to a code of conduct regulating relations among member parties and establishing responsibility for violations. The alliance pledged to continue its struggle “until the release of political prisoners and victory in free and fair elections”.

Following consultations, nine parties joined the alliance, which members described as “unity for victory”.

Separately, Tina Bokuchava, chair of the United National Movement, said the agreement marked an important step.

“Today we agreed on unified rules of action and strategy, and this is a correct step in responding to society’s demand for unity,” she said, adding that the United National Movement had consistently supported cooperation among opposition forces.

Bokuchava also thanked those who had “managed to stand together” and referred to a message from convicted former President Mikheil Saakashvili expressing gratitude to participants in the process.