Several members of the Tbilisi City Assembly (Sakrebulo) faction of the opposition United National Movement (UNM) party urged the leadership to cancel the chairman’s post and establish a temporary governing body staffed by parity principles before the 2024 parliamentary elections.

The UNM members believe that the current management is not oriented on the party’s unity or admitting discussions over different opinions within the party.

According to the statement, the problem started from deciding to form the Political Council on the fifth day following the election of UNM Chair Levan Khabeishvili that “gradually led to the crisis, which is further deepening.”

The statement signatories believe that the Political Council’s expansion and some members’ expulsion from the party is not a solution to the crisis, which “comprises all circles and is obvious to the party supporters.”

“This party deserves much more than what we are currently offering to voters and society. The demand of the people is unity and democratic principles of governance. We, on the example of our party, should demonstrate to society that the party, when it comes to power, can be a representative of everyone and not a specific group,” reads the statement.

UNM members Nino Kvitaishvili, Ana Gogoladze, Mamuka Gugeshashvili, Giorgi Oniani, Zviad Kuprava, and Tornike Bikashvili signed the joint statement.