UNM’s Bokuchava says unified opposition preferable, but parties should work individually if consolidation fails

Tina Bokuchava, chair of the opposition United National Movement, on Wednesday said it would be preferable for opposition forces to act in a consolidated manner to achieve what she described as the dismantling of Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili’s rule, but added that if unity proves impossible, parties should continue their work individually.

“The main objective of any alliance should be consolidation, not fragmentation, internal confrontation, alienation and pushing people into even deeper nihilism,” Bokuchava said.

She noted that the decision for the United National Movement to join the alliance had been made jointly with the party’s political council and former president Mikheil Saakashvili, with his direct involvement.

“If the situation has reached this point, then just as we made the decision to join together, we will also make a joint decision regarding leaving,” she said.

Bokuchava said she still believes unified action among opposition groups would be the best path toward achieving political change, but warned that if such efforts lead to confrontation within the political spectrum or wider society, it would be better for each party to continue independently.

“In my deep conviction, it is better for the opposition to act in a consolidated way so that the main goal, dismantling Ivanishvili’s regime, can be achieved. But if this is unattainable and causes confrontation within the political spectrum and society, then it is better for everyone to continue working individually,” Bokuchava said.