“The Georgian Dream retains a rating of 30-35% not because it keeps brainwashing people’s minds, or people are anti-European, anti-democratic, anti-American or have become pro-Russian, favour physical assaults of youngsters, arrests, etc., but because the GD seems more consolidated than the opposition,” said Giorgi Vashadze, the Strategy Aghmashenebeli party leader.

The GD propaganda is built on the opposition’s weakness, raggedness and internal disputes rather than on the Deep State and the fear of fake war or the United National Movement.

“My friends, from prison, I am sending you my vision on how to achieve victory. Simply, this document is about the idea that more unity is more power, more power is more trust and more opportunities to win. Our citizens know this and expect actual steps from us. The way to victory is the power of unity and the formation of a strong alternative.

1. What can defeat disappointment? – our unity;
2. What can revitalise the protest? – our unification;
3. What can speed up partners’ activities? – our unity, a strong alternative and resistance;
4. What can crumple the Georgian Dream? – our unification;
5. What can accelerate victory? – our unification.

What kind of unity do we need? Pro-Western political and public groups unite under the systemic, parity principle-based format, which is committed to solving the political crisis facing Georgia and to effective rule. The unification acts on behalf of one name – under a united brand, which demonstrates to society that it is united, strong, instead of divided and opposed to each other and meanwhile, all political groups preserve their identity.

They take joint decisions based on this document, jointly participate in future new parliamentary elections and propose strong and real alternatives to society. It would be better if this unity is established among the 8 non-participating parties in the so-called elections, based on the Resistance Platform.

Intro

It is a fact that we are stronger together. Unity requires compromise, which is one of the fundamental principles of democratic rule. It is high time to transform from abstract discourse into concrete acts. The format of 8 non-participant parties in so-called elections is good, but not sufficient. This document is targeted at contextual discussion; proposed decisions and mechanisms are our viewpoints. We are ready to hear recommendations or alternatives to reach the final document and agreement shortly.

In fact, we outnumber them and as soon as this is reflected in numbers with our activeness and correct campaign (we are in first place and GD on the second in impartial public polls), the process of changes will quickly follow, and everybody will have to face the reality. Today, there is no choice between political tastes, rightwings or lefwings, liberal or conservative approaches, we have the choice to rescue the country: poor, week, defenseless, corrupt, oligarchic Georgia under influence of Russia, which the regime proposes, or rich, strong, united, protected, democratic and regional leader Georgia, a worthy partner of the U.S. and strong and equal member of the European Union, what we propose.

I repeat that unity cannot be achieved without compromise: compromise on the pro-Western, patriotic flank and uncompromising with the Georgian Dream. The GD propaganda is built on the opposition’s weakness, raggedness and internal attacks rather than on the Deep State and the fear of fake war or the United National Movement, which are supplementary. The Georgian Dream retains a rating of 30-35% not because it keeps brainwashing people’s minds, or people are anti-European, anti-democratic, anti-American or have become pro-Russian, favour physical assaults of youngsters, arrests, etc., but because the GD seems more consolidated than the opposition.

Therefore, the number one goal should be the demonstration of force in unity, instead of a scattered majority, a consolidated, strong unity which is more (including in figures) than the regime.

Why can’t we unite? As if we all agree that we require unity, but speaking in general is not enough. If we seek and support unity, why can’t we unite? This is what our fellow citizens asked, and the response should be our unity. I often get the impression (and society, too) that many truly wish unity, while others simply speak about unity. I will try to present my vision of unity.

Unity requires: 1. The goal for which we unite; 2. Objectives to reach the goal; 3. Principles we agree upon; 4. Unity Structure; 5. Decision-making rules; 6. Unity headquarters, the mechanism through which we implement unity; 7. Funds (fundraising); 8. Georgian independent media.

I believe it was through this mechanism that we should have made a decision on the self-government elections, which should have been mandatory for everyone, regardless of their stance.
1. Goal – Georgia’s return to a democratic development path; return of power to people; Restoration of the EU integration process; ensuring independence and sovereignty.
2. Objectives – holding new parliamentary elections with new rules; release of all prisoners of conscience; change of regime.
3. Principles – we give up differences. Unity over parliamentary elections, we take decisions jointly, in case of lack of consensus, a decision is made with the majority of votes, argument-based discussion, the decision is not subject to revision and is compulsory for all members of the union.
4. Unity Structure – Unity Council established on the parity principle.
4.1. Political Parties
4.1.1. Eight parties, which do not intend to run in the so-called local elections (one place to each party).
As for the Lelo and Gakharia for Georgia, if they reconsider their stance and refuse to participate in the so-called municipal elections, they can join the union. If the Lelo and Aleko Elisashvili refuse to reconsider their position and participation in systemic unity (Gakharia always behaves so), the unity will be formed without them.

4.1.2. With one representative, a party which did not participate in elections or failed to overcome the election threshold can join the union. For this, they should: a) Share the union’s goals and objectives; b) Join Georgian Charter, which should be updated together; c) They should be registered as a political party; d) Joining the union is decided with the majority of votes, except for parties which are represented in the Resistance Platform, which will automatically join.

4.2. Public/ Protest/Civil Groups

Those groups that actively participate in the struggle against the regime should be represented with voting rights in the Unity Council. The total number of their representatives must correspond to the number of party entities. They must agree on their representative. Here, I will list the groups with whom we communicate daily (I may omit someone and forgive me for that)

4.2.1. The May 26 Organisation Committee – many interesting groups and individuals. They organised different activities well for May 26 (they should agree on the number of delegates);
4.2.2. “Daitove” (Keep) – one of the active and biggest groups of resistance and protests;
4.2.3. “Rustaveli Avenue” – active with Paata Burchuladze. He has taken many risky decisions, including on April 9. He is very popular and enjoys trust in society. His participation in the Union is significant.
4.2.4. Georgian non-government organisations – Beneficial knowledge and experience in the civic sector. Due to their mandate, they might refuse to join, but those who agree to join must be represented in the Union, which will continue cooperation with those who do not join.
4.2.5 Georgian Public Assembly – actively works on elections and other actual topics. I wish them to join; 4.2.6. Parents of prisoners of conscience – I welcome their active engagement;
4.2.7. Culture sphere representatives – a well-organised and respectful group. They are on the front line of protests;
4.2.8. Student Organisations – Engagement of youngsters is crucial; many interesting groups and organisations. Their activity is decisive;
4.2.9. A representative of emigrants;
4.3. The role of President Salome Zourabichvili. Madam Salome enjoys the highest legitimacy both inside the country and in the international arena. This Unity should be established based on her initiated Resistance Platform and 8 parties, which boycott the so-called local elections. Furthermore, I believe Salome Zourabichvili should lead the Union (I understand many criticise her, though). I have communicated with her for the last 2 months, and I was convinced by her sincere wishes to return Georgia to the EU integration path. This document does not contradict her latest statement, but refines it.

Remark: Forgive me if I missed out some interest groups, but do not forget that the door is open for everyone.

5. Decision-making rules: Decisions will be made based on consensus. If there is no consensus, with the majority of votes, the decisive vote goes to Salome Zourabichvili, and the decision is compulsory for all members. If a person was absent during the vote, the fulfilment of the decision is still compulsory.
5.1. Decisions made with public engagement: Zurab Japaridze suggested that decisions of utmost significance are made with public engagement, through direct democratic rule. For this purpose, a special application can be created. Any citizen of Georgia can register in the application; the voting rules are approved by the Union Council. The application is created on a blockchain (this is not my whim), which ensures the anonymity of the registered, the confidentiality of voting, and the security of the system. Zurab Japaridze spoke a lot about this issue in his letter, and we have discussed it earlier, and I believe this is crucial for victory.

Introduction of this system will facilitate wide public engagement in the decision-making process and will boost our support, give more legitimacy to any decision and increase trust in society. We will demonstrate a different model from unilateral rule, a new culture of governance.

6. Unity headquarters: a mechanism through which we implement Unity, a Union Council will be established in parallel, which will ensure the union’s daily work. It will be staffed with full-time professionals and will work in an election-campaigning style. I will provide details as I imagine if positive feedback.

7. Funds (fundraising): Mobilising funds is significant. I think the main part should be so-called crowdfunding. We can discuss it in detail later.
8. Georgian independent media: The media are in grave condition. Its role is decisive in reaching our voice to fellow citizens. I would like to ask media representatives to begin a broad discussion and coverage of the specific model of unification as per this document, so that unity is not ephemeral.

Conclusion.

1. It may seem complex, but if we assess the reality, I think this way to victory is truly in true unity;
2. I could not cover all issues in this document, and tried to be brief. We can refine it together;
3. Proposals on decisions and rules take into account the actual situation but can be modified;
4. I believe we should agree on the formation of unity as soon as possible. Speeding up our victory is directly linked to the formation of unity. This will demonstrate to society the alternative to a violent regime, will intensify protest and speed up actions on the part of our western partners;
6. Please, read this document carefully and write me back in prison about your viewpoints;
7. I think that if we had this mechanism earlier, we would have made this decision simply, including for so-called local elections, though we will have many more strategic and tactical decisions to take, and they will be easily made.;
8. I am sure any public poll after the formation of unity shows that we have much more support than the Georgian Dream, and we are in first place. This will reduce their rating since people will see the real alternative and force.;
9. I believe this will lead us to victory. In the course of discussion, please suggest an alternative to this route, if any,” Vashadze wrote.