Georgia’s third president, Mikheil Saakashvili, has explained why he supports the candidacy of journalist Nanuka Zhorzholiani for the chairmanship of the United National Movement (UNM). Writing on social media, he stated that he had been considering her candidacy for several months and concluded that she possesses the necessary energy, experience, and ability to win back public support. At the same time, he highly praised the party’s current chair, Tina Bokuchava.
“Tina’s strengths are public speaking and international relations, so co-chairmanship could have been a good option. However, she took Nanuka’s entry too hard. Especially since her term of office was already set to expire in July anyway.
“In any case, I value her greatly and am grateful to her. She remains on my team and, I am sure, will take a worthy place in the future government,” Saakashvili noted.
According to him, he still claims leadership of the party, as does Levan Khabeishvili, but both are either imprisoned or have been restricted in their ability to participate in party activities, which is why the party needs an active leader on the ground.
Saakashvili stressed that the final decision must be made by the party members themselves and urged anyone interested to put forward alternative candidacies.
“I have only one vote. If we have a democracy, let it be a real democracy. This party belongs to you—our loyal supporters,” he wrote.
In conclusion, Saakashvili stated that regardless of the outcome of the leadership election, he will continue the political struggle and strive for “victory over the dictatorship.”
