Saakashvili Resigns as UNM Chairman, Recommending Vashadze

Former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili is to step down as honorary chairman of the opposition party, the United National Movement (UNM).

Announcing his decision via a Facebook video statement on March 18, the former president stated he believes that the opposition needs to “renew” its leadership and governing structures, whilst also working on its principles.

Saakashvili lost his Georgian citizenship in December 2015 and has been living abroad since: “Ivanishvili is not allowing me inside the country, some of our leaders are in prison, including Davit Kirkitadze who was arrested recently; this, of course, makes organizational work of the party difficult” says Saakashvili in the video. “To overcome these [difficulties], we need to be flexible and make sure that we do not stop fighting.”

In the video, Saakashvili recommends Grigol Vashadze as his predecessor: “The party needs a new leader on the ground… Grigol Vashadze carried out the presidential campaign very well and I would personally welcome his candidacy as UNM chairman.”

Saakashvili also said that the 2018 presidential election “was hijacked” by Bidzina Ivanishvili, chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party. Nonetheless, he believes that the elections “laid the foundations” for a broad opposition.

He confirmed that his resignation will be formalized at the upcoming UNM party congress.

By Amy Jones

Photo source: Saakashvili's Facebook