UNM leader Bokuchava slams Gvaramia's remarks about party, cites turmoil within Ahhali

Tina Bokuchava has criticised recent comments by opposition politician Nika Gvaramia about the United National Movement, suggesting they were driven by internal tensions within his own political group.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, Bokuchava said she had been surprised by what she described as an attack on the UNM from Gvaramia and argued that public disputes among opposition parties were counterproductive.

"I did not expect to see this kind of attack on the United National Movement from Nika Gvaramia," she said. "I believe it is driven by the internal turbulence within Ahhali."

Bokuchava said political disagreements should not dominate the opposition's agenda and warned that constant confrontation between democratic political forces weakened broader efforts to challenge the government.

She also argued that questions regarding the opposition's electoral strategy and alliance arrangements should have been raised before the election campaign rather than afterwards.

The UNM chair said she understood the challenges facing her party and the steps needed to strengthen its political effectiveness, but stressed that opposition forces should focus on common goals rather than internal disputes.

Referring to previous disagreements within the opposition, Bokuchava noted that former president Mikheil Saakashvili had previously stated that he did not intend to leave the political movement associated with him.

She expressed regret over what she described as "red lines" being drawn by others within the opposition camp, arguing that such divisions weakened the broader political coalition.

Despite the disagreements, Bokuchava said she remained confident that a viable political alternative would ultimately emerge, although she warned that time and energy that could be used more effectively were currently being spent on internal conflicts.

"Time that could be used much more effectively is now being spent in the wrong direction," she said.