UNM opposition urges members to avoid attacks on opposition allies

Georgia’s opposition party United National Movement has called on its members and supporters to refrain from attacking allied political groups, stressing the need to strengthen cooperation within a newly formed opposition alliance.

In a statement on Tuesday, the party said it “fully supports” the agreement signed by several democratic opposition parties on 2 March, which outlines a shared strategy and objectives in their political struggle “against the government led by [ruling party founder and honorary chair] Bidzina Ivanishvili.

The agreement also sets out rules governing relations among the signatory parties, the UNM said, adding the document obliged participants to avoid public remarks that could delegitimize other members of the alliance, accuse them of colluding with the authorities or foreign adversaries, or otherwise damage the reputation of partner parties.

The party claimed it remained committed to the agreement and therefore rejected any form of attack against its political partners.

“We distance ourselves from any attacks on partner parties and call on all party members and supporters to respect the rules of the agreement and direct all efforts toward strengthening the opposition alliance and ending Ivanishvili’s dictatorial regime,” the statement said.