Mikheil Saakashvili, the imprisoned third president of Georgia, writes that he plans to “renew” his political force and involve journalist and activist Nanuka Zhorzholiani and her team in the leadership and reform of the “National Movement” (UNM).
The reason for the “radical changes,” according to him, is the goal of restoring the party’s “image as a truly people’s organization.”
Saakashvili emphasized that he has known Nanuka Zhorzholiani for 25 years and that she has never betrayed the cause.
“She has never betrayed the cause. She has always been distinguished by her closeness to the people, her fight for the truth, exceptional courage, and innovation. She enjoys great authority both within the country and abroad and, what is particularly important, has the right ideas for carrying out fundamental reforms. Nanuka enjoys my full confidence and has received my mandate to implement changes together with numerous party members and its chair, Tika Bokuchava,” he writes.
Saakashvili believes that the party must open up to new people.
“While respecting experienced cadres, we must introduce flexibility, decentralization, urgently master new technologies, and build a modern fundraising system,” he noted.
According to the former president’s plan, it is necessary to:
- involve Nanuka Zhorzholiani and her team in the leadership and reform of the party;
- open the party to new people and new members;
- return to the UNM the image of a “people’s party” rather than a “narrowly elitist group”;
- conduct a fundamental renewal and revitalization of the party structure;
- introduce greater flexibility in party management;
- decentralize internal processes;
- make more active use of new technologies;
- create a modern fundraising system;
- expand the involvement of citizens and supporters in party activities.
