Girchi’s Khvichia: There were never really eight separate parties; they were all UNM’s offshoots

“Now is the right time for Giorgi Gakharia and the Lelo party to reconsider their political careers and pursue something more interesting in life,” Leader of the Girchi party, Iago Khvichia, stated.

According to Khvichia, after the upcoming local elections, the United National Movement party will cease to exist.

“In my view, there were never really eight separate parties – they were all offshoots of the National Movement. After these elections, the National Movement will disappear, and its radical supporters will search for a new leader, most likely among those currently in prison. I expect a regrouping: on one side, a faction that will mobilize radical voters as the successor of the National Movement and on the other, figures like Gakharia and Lelo, who should reconsider their political paths,” Khvichia said.

Asked who could become leaders for these voters, Khvichia named Nika Melia and Zurab Japaridze.

“In my opinion, there are two figures: Nika Melia, whose votes largely went to ‘Akhal,’ and Zura Japaridze, who is acceptable to the UNM’s voters. Their collaboration has failed before, but I think the UNM’s voters will mobilise around them to reorganise the spectrum,” he explained.

Speaking about Girchi’s role, Khvichia said the party would continue promoting common sense politics.

“We want to strengthen ourselves and show the public that confronting the system should not be about emotions, shouting, or marching, but about political opinion. We aim to prove that the Georgia we envision is better than the one built by the Kotsis,” he said.

Khvichia also argued that the so-called revolution had been staged by the ruling Georgian Dream party.

“The greatest responsibility lies with Georgian Dream, which stole the elections through its agents and useful idiots. This whole process was coordinated in their office. Unfortunately, the blame will fall on the executors, not the organizers,” Khvichia noted.

He added that some individuals, like Paata Manjgaladze, were mistakenly involved.

“Everyone knows Paata Manjgaladze is not a revolutionary. Many others were either useful idiots or simply agreed to play along. It’s hard to tell who was genuinely guilty and who was dragged into this process,” Khvichia said.