UNM chair acknowledges challenges facing party, calls for inclusive internal debate

Chair of Georgia's opposition United National Movement (UNM), Tina Bokuchava, has said the party does not need an external audit to recognise that it is facing serious challenges.

In a social media post on Monday, Bokuchava argued that the party's current difficulties should be addressed through an open, inclusive and democratic internal discussion involving both long-standing members and recent supporters.

Addressing questions over whether imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili was informed about the UNM's decision to join an opposition alliance, Bokuchava said he had been fully aware of the discussions.

She revealed that she had initially opposed joining the alliance, arguing that it did not meet the criteria of a broad political and civic coalition capable of contesting elections as a unified front against the government. However, she said Saakashvili believed the party would have been accused of undermining opposition unity if it had refused to participate.

According to Bokuchava, she subsequently supported the decision to join the alliance and later agreed with Saakashvili's public position that the party should not stage a demonstrative withdrawal from it.

The UNM chair also highlighted the difficulties the party has faced, including the imprisonment of Saakashvili, leader Levan Khabeishvili and Tbilisi party figure Irakli Nadiradze, as well as financial constraints and what she described as ongoing efforts to marginalise the party.

Despite those challenges, Bokuchava said the party had survived due to the commitment of its supporters, regional organisations and international engagement efforts.

She said the party's future direction should be determined through a transparent internal process that balances political pragmatism with moral responsibility.

"We will achieve victory together, for Georgia," Bokuchava said.