Opposition UNM Elects New Chair

Opposition party the United National Movement (UNM) has elected their MP Girgol Vashadze as the new party Chair.

The decision was made at the 8th Congress of the Party on March 24 where the former President of Georgia and ex-Chair of the party, Mikheil Saakashvili, addressed the party members via the internet. 364 delegates voted in favor of Grigol Vashadze, one voted against and one abstained.

The balloting process was conducted through a new method, seeing delegates use a cell phone application to participate in the vote.

Saakashvili stepped down from the Chairmanship of the party, founded by him in 2001, last week.

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.

Grigol Vashadze was the presidential candidate of the United Opposition in October 2018. He came second in the race after the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) supported candidate Salome Zurabishvili, who became the first female president of the country.

By Thea Morrison