UNM congress to take place on August 5; individual elected to oversee party’s future will hold title of chair, UNM’s Petre Tsiskarishvili says

The Congress of the United National Movement (UNM) has been scheduled for 15:00 on August 5, stated the party’s General Secretary, Petre Tsiskarishvili.

Speaking to journalists after the Political Council meeting, Tsiskarishvili explained that the gathering will be technical.

“The number of delegates has been set at approximately 250 to 300. The procedure for convening these delegates has also been agreed and established. As standard practice, delegates will represent the capital, the regions, and the central headquarters. An organising committee, an essential element for the arrangement and execution of the congress, has been appointed, consisting of seven members,” Petre Tsiskarishvili stated.

Regarding acting party chair Tina Bokuchava, Tsiskarishvili noted that she was currently out of town.

“Regrettably, given the calendar, not every Political Council member is in town at the moment; some joined us remotely. It was not feasible to wait for Tina. The congress itself is being held at a time when Tina will be in the city. Convening the Political Council meeting is merely the preparatory, organisational stage leading up to the congress. We cannot work around everyone’s travel arrangements, logistical schedules, or whether they happen to be in town. We hope she will join us on August 5,” Tsiskarishvili noted.

When asked whether the process of handing over the party to Nanuka Zhorzholiani was underway, Tsiskarishvili replied that “such matters are not agreed in advance; that decision rests with the congress.”

“That is not how things work; a party isn’t just handed over or taken over by someone. There is a lively discussion going on within the party. What on earth does ‘hand over’ mean? The individual elected as chair by the congress will be responsible for the party’s future operations and will officially hold the title of chair. What does ‘handing over’ or ‘taking over’ even mean?” Tsiskarishvili declared.