“The National Movement has been in opposition for 14 years and has been fighting against the regime. Accusing tens of thousands of members of this party of lacking dignity is politically uncollegial. If a person decides to join the team as chairperson or in another position and, in their very first statements, attacks that same team, I do not think this reflects a farsighted approach,” said Petre Tsiskarishvili, Secretary General of the United National Movement party.

According to Tsiskarishvili, the party chairperson is elected by a majority of delegates at the congress.

He added that the candidate supported by Mikheil Saakashvili [Georgia’s ex-President] would likely have a better chance of winning, although he said it would be inappropriate to make such predictions in advance.

“The idea of an opposition alliance was not bad in itself, as it was aimed at consolidation. However, if the alliance is used to constantly attack our leader, who is in prison, through insults, mockery and verbal attacks, then what purpose does such an alliance serve? We support criticism and debate, but offensive rhetoric has never helped the cause. Therefore, questions have also arisen about the alliance’s ultimate goals and direction,” Tsiskarishvili said.

He stressed that he could not unilaterally decide whether the party should leave the alliance, as such a move would require a collective decision.

“Mikheil Saakashvili is the political leader who, if he were free, would completely change the political landscape. Bidzina Ivanishvili and the public both know this well. That is why he remains isolated and imprisoned. His freedom would mean the fall of Georgian Dream,” Tsiskarishvili stated.

He added that as long as the current situation persists, the party will remain in opposition and continue its political struggle.

“We will take Mikheil Saakashvili’s remarks into account and will try to improve communication both on the ground and through the media and social networks,” Tsiskarishvili said.