UNM leader Bokuchava: western partners see no real alternative to regime amid opposition fragmentation

United National Movement chair Tina Bokuchava on Friday said political disunity weakened Georgia’s democratic cause, as prosecutors launched criminal proceedings against leading opposition figures.

Bokuchava said that the Georgian opposition’s fragmentation prevented the country’s Western partners from seeing a viable political alternative to the current government.

“Bidzina Ivanishvili believes that the more political prisoners he has, the stronger his bargaining position will be at the table,” Bokuchava said. “But in doing so, he only worsens his situation - the West will never allow him to trade in people’s freedom.”

Bokuchava emphasized that unity among opposition forces was essential for both domestic and international credibility.

“If we stand as a united front, we will see faster and stronger steps from the West to help save Georgian democracy. Right now, just like the Georgian people, our international partners also see no real alternative or replacement for this regime due to the current fragmentation - and that is precisely what we must overcome to bring change,” she claimed.

Her remarks come after the Prosecutor’s Office announced criminal proceedings against several prominent opposition leaders, including Mikheil Saakashvili, Giorgi Vashadze, Nika Gvaramia, Nikanor Melia, Zurab Japaridze, Elene Khoshtaria, Mamuka Khazaradze, and Badri Japaridze.