UNM’s Congress elects Chair of Interim Governing Council, Reforms Council Chairman, Executive Secretary

Irakli Pavlenishvili will be the Chairman of the United National Movement’s interim governing council, Mikheil Saakashvili – the Chairman of the Reform Council, and Nanuka Zhorzholiani – the Executive Secretary, the 13th Congress of the UNM decided.

A member of the UNM, Levan Bezhashvili, told reporters that the positions of party chairman and general secretary were abolished, and a collegial governing body in the form of a governing council was established.

The composition of the Governing Board was set at a maximum of nine members. Various candidates for the Board were nominated at the congress by at least 15 members of the Political Council. Nine members were nominated; however, Tina Bokuchava declined to participate in the Governing Board work and chose to be an ordinary member of the Political Council.

At this stage, the Governing Board is determined to have the following members: Petre Tsiskarishvili, Irakli Pavlenishvili, Ana Tsitlidze, Giorgi Chaladze, Lasha Parulava, Giorgi Botkoveli and Levan Bezhashvili,” he said.

He further clarified that journalist and TV host Nanuka Zhorzholiani was not a member of the party and was not participating in the managerial bodies.

“Besides, a Reforms Council will be established with the participation of experts and supporters. Irakli Pavlenishvili was elected Chairman of the Governing Board. The Governing Board’s mandate encompasses all the powers previously assigned to the Party Chairman and the General Secretary under the former charter; these competencies have been consolidated and are exercised collectively by the Governing Board,” he said.