TBILISI, DFWatch–Jailed opposition figure Giorgi Vashadze has proposed a new political initiative aimed at unifying key opposition parties ahead of parliamentary elections.
The plan involves the creation of a joint political platform headed by ex-President Salome Zourabichvili, joining together the “Resistance Platform” and eight parties currently boycotting the municipal elections.
“This is not just a call to unite — it is a specific mechanism to build a powerful national resistance movement,” Vashadze wrote in a public letter from prison. “Let’s forget our differences […] unity operates through the parliamentary elections.”
Vashadze argued that Zourabichvili holds the highest legitimacy “both inside the country and internationally” and should lead the unified platform. “I have been in contact with her over the past two months and I am convinced of her sincere desire to return Georgia to the path of European integration.”
His party colleague Paata Manjgaladze praised the proposal as “a real action plan” and “a new chance for trust and a real path to victory.”
However, Vashadze’s initiative faces internal resistance. The United National Movement (UNM), with which Vashadze is affiliated, left the Resistance Platform in April. UNM leader Tinatin Bokuchava previously criticized Zourabichvili for finishing her term without pardoning former president Mikheil Saakashvili. She also claimed the platform’s March 31 rally lacked substance, stating, “The greatest distance within the platform was between Zourabichvili and UNM.”
Meanwhile, Mamuka Khazaradze, leader of Lelo – Strong Georgia, rejected the municipal boycott, calling the slogan “No to Russian Elections” a distraction: “The demand should be ‘Yes to new parliamentary elections!’”
Tamar Chergoleishvili, leader of the Federalist Party, which is among those boycotting the elections, responded sharply: “Khazaradze is once again complaining about bullying. What did he expect from politics? That he could buy respect and reverence?”
