UNM to Take Part in Run-Off Elections and Georgia’s New Parliament

TBILISI – Georgia's main opposition party - former President Mikheil Saakashvili's United National Movement (UNM) which came in second after the ruling party Georgian Dream (GD) in the October 8 elections, has opted to take part in the second round voting and will enter the new parliament.

The decision was made late Tuesday at a meeting of UNM council members.

The UNM captured 27.111 per cent in Saturday’s election but originally claimed that the results were falsified by the Georgian Dream.

Hardliners with the UNM, including Saakashvili, claimed the government rigged the elections and called for a boycott of the next parliament.

The absolute majority of members, however, believed the party had to participate in the second round and enter the parliament to prevent self-isolation and the establishment of one-party rule by their bitter political foes, the Georgian Dream, according to UNM Council member Sergi Kapanadze.

“There were many violations during the elections, but we have to respect the people who voted for us,” said Kapanadze.

David Bakradze, the UNM’s leader in Georgia, said he would not allow billionaire oligarch and founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party Bidzina Ivanishvili to establish one-party rule.

“The UNM has remained the only viable pro-Western opposition force in the country…we accept this honor The party will participate in the second round of voting and also enter the new Parliament once it is seated,” Bakradze said.

Preliminary data shows that the second round for majoritarian MP seats is expected in 50 out of a total 73 single-mandate constituencies. GD and UNM candidates are expected to face each other in runoffs in 44 districts.

By Thea Morrison

Edited by Nicholas Waller