Federalists’ Chergoleishvili: We offer a better alternative for the Georgian public because our alliance is rule-based; UNM’s exit was caused by disregard for rules

“We represent a better alternative for the Georgian people precisely because we uphold rules and operate as a rule-based alliance. Everyone follows the rules, whether small, large, distinguished in the past, or aiming to be distinguished in the future. That is exactly what sets us apart from all other alliances,” stated Tamar Chergoleishvili, leader of the Federalist Party.

According to Chergoleishvili, the sole condition for alliance membership is adherence to the rules, and the United National Movement (UNM) effectively left the alliance six months ago.

“Any figure or entity that refuses to submit to rules has nothing to do with the alliance, because the alliance is defined by its rules. Therefore, UNM left the alliance six months ago. Removing them from the logo today following our meeting is purely coincidental. Favlenishvili has acknowledged this, as have I. I am ready to officially stamp it for you. This was already declared; pull up your own archives. I have said all along that they had left, and indeed they withdrew of their own accord. This stemmed from a failure to observe established rules. The fundamental reason we seek to remove Bidzina Ivanishvili is his lawlessness and his self-declaration as the sole authority. Saakashvili attempted the same approach, but he will find no such latitude within our circle, because this alliance is built on rules.

This alliance is neither a bank account nor a shared organisation. Soon, even the parties that Bidzina Ivanishvili plans to ban will no longer exist on paper. Our integrity is our sole advantage over Bidzina Ivanishvili and the regime, the means by which we intend to bring him down. We cannot retain unprincipled individuals within our ranks; the charter of the alliance itself precludes it,” Chergoleishvili stated.

She added that Mikheil Saakashvili has repeatedly asserted that no one can impose rules on him, whereas the alliance is defined entirely by its rules.

“In my view, media outlets aligned with Georgian Dream cover Saakashvili best. He has repeatedly stated that no one can impose rules on him, yet the alliance is rules and nothing more. If you do not abide by these rules, you exclude yourself from the alliance by your own initiative. The only path to membership is compliance with the rules. We must maintain a strategy of non-recognition, refusing to recognise the regime as a legitimate force. We must abide by our internal rules: everyone has an equal voice, everyone stands as equals, and we have no supreme leaders. Whoever refuses to reconcile with this cannot remain with us; we are mutually exclusive,” Chergoleishvili noted.

For context, the opposition alliance shared a new cover photo on its Facebook page which no longer has the United National Movement.

Irakli Pavlenishvili, who chairs the UNM’s temporary governing board, said it was immaterial whether the party was expelled or walked away, emphasising that it had stopped participating in alliance activities long ago.