UNM opposition announces expansion of political council following ex-Pres Saakashvili’s initiative

The United National Movement – the largest opposition group in the country in power between 2004-2012 – has reached a decision to expand its political council, with Chairman Levani Khabeishvili revealing that a specific initiative from the currently imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili will be addressed during a session scheduled for later today.

Khabeishvili said the individuals who had been part of the political council and aligned themselves with Saakashvili’s manifesto would be considered for inclusion. The decision would be finalized after the political council reviewed the specific details and information about those endorsing the manifesto.

“Today, after the political council makes concrete decisions, it will have information about these people who join the manifesto and therefore will be members of the political council of the UNM, ” Khabeishvili explained.

He further noted specific people would be added to the political council at the initiative of Saakashvili.

In his previous comments, Saakashvili, who was arrested in Tbilisi on his clandestine return in 2021, claimed he was ready to chair the political council of the UNM to ensure “unity” in the opposition ahead of  the next year’s Parliamentary elections.