UNM’s Khabeishvili: They created party five days ago and now lecture us on how they changed ‘paradigm’

National Movement member Levan Khabeishvili has called on opposition forces to focus on practical mobilization and unity, arguing that an “all minus Ivanishvili” formula is necessary to challenge the ruling authorities.

Khabeishvili made the comments in a social media post, criticizing recently established political parties and their representatives for what he described as excessive rhetoric and a lack of concrete action.

“Five days ago they created a party, and now they are lecturing us on TV about how they changed the ‘paradigm.’ Do you know how ridiculous you look?” Khabeishvili wrote.

He said opposition forces should focus on building an organized network of supporters across the country ahead of future elections.

“Between 2022 and 2026, hundreds of people were imprisoned on criminal or administrative charges, thousands were fined over their participation in rallies and for expressing pro-Georgian and pro-European positions, and more than 2,000 people were dismissed from public service for expressing their views.

That hundreds of people had been assaulted or subjected to pressure and that tens of thousands had received threatening or abusive phone calls.

Georgia has around 2,500 polling stations, meaning villages, communities and neighborhoods. Accordingly, there are five to seven such persecuted citizens at each polling station. Along with their family members, friends, like-minded people and neighbors, that makes 20 to 35 active people opposing the regime in each community,” Khabeishvili said.

He argued that opposition parties acting separately would be unable to build the necessary grassroots infrastructure.

“If we want to put pressure on the regime, go on the offensive and force it to hold normal elections, we need an active, identified ‘army’ of 30,000-40,000 supporters across these 2,500 polling stations. 15-20 active people should be organized around each polling station to engage with voters, disseminate information, protect votes and mobilize supporters.

Now the question is: can any single party do this alone? For example, in the previous two or three elections, 90% of the parties did not have 15-20 members at each of the 2,500 polling stations — they did not even have one member at each polling station,” he said.

He proposed an “all minus Ivanishvili” formula as a way to unite opposition forces.

“Together, can we create this 30,000-40,000-strong ‘army’? Obviously, yes. If we do this and organize these scattered fighters, we will be able to exert pressure and achieve fair elections, where democratic forces will win,” Khabeishvili said.

He also criticized opposition representatives for what he called excessive discussion on television instead of grassroots work.

“Instead of talking on TV a thousand times, let us divide the polling stations among ourselves and build teams of 15-20 people on the ground. This is concrete work,” he said.

Khabeishvili concluded by urging opposition supporters to “come down to earth” and focus on real mobilization.

“Strength is in unity, and this needs to be put into practice. Let us act together with real, hardworking fighters. Enough with meaningless talk — let us focus on real mobilization,” he wrote.