Journalist and civil activist Nanuka Zhorzholiani has reacted to the statement by former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili regarding “radical changes” in the “National Movement” (United National Movement, UNM) and her participation in this process.
Zhorzholiani noted that this is an interesting proposal. The process, she pointed out, will not be simple, but she sees it as a step toward major changes.
For now, the journalist is in the negotiation stage and has not disclosed any details.
Trust in new faces, according to her, is what the party must do so that young people can create a new development agenda for Georgia. Zhorzholiani is also confident that instead of conflicts, there needs to be more practical work.
“The proposal is interesting; I understand that the challenge is not an easy one, but I see this as a chance for major changes. Currently, we are in the stage of reflection, negotiations, meetings, and discussions with others.
<The youth> must shape the agenda. In this, I see his <Saakashvili’s> trust.
I am confident that the old cadres of the reformist party understand the importance of this step. When I learn more details, I will definitely share them — you know that no one will get ahead of me, except for Misha,” she wrote.
As a reminder, Mikheil Saakashvili, the imprisoned third president of Georgia, stated that he plans to “renew” his political force and involve journalist and activist Nanuka Zhorzholiani and her team in leading and reforming the “National Movement.”
The reason for the “radical changes,” according to him, is the goal of restoring the party’s “image as a truly grassroots organization.”
To recall, in 2020, Nanuka Zhorzholiani joined Saakashvili’s team and became a majoritarian parliamentary candidate for the United National Movement in the Samtredia-Tskaltubo-Vani-Khoni electoral district (Imereti region).
Zhorzholiani lost the election in her district to the candidate from the ruling Georgian Dream party and failed to enter the Georgian parliament. Immediately after the 2020 elections, she ceased to be an official politician for the party.
At the time, the journalist and activist held no official positions within the party and publicly declared her return to journalism and civic activism. She runs a charitable organization, the “Nanuka Foundation,” which initially focused solely on humanitarian aid, but later its activities took on a pronounced civic-protest character (paying fines for participants in pro-European protests, purchasing equipment for demonstrations).
Due to its support for the protests, the foundation faced pressure from the authorities, and in the spring of 2025, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Georgia, as part of an investigation into “sabotage” cases, froze the organization’s bank accounts, completely blocking the funds held there (about 400,000 GEL — up to $150,600).
Zhorzholiani herself called these actions politically motivated and publicly urged the authorities to unblock at least the portion of the funds intended solely for the treatment of sick children.
In May 2026, she was sentenced to three days of administrative arrest for creating an artificial obstacle to pedestrian movement on a sidewalk.
