UNM’s Parulava: Self-proclaimed political elite fractured opposition by refusing to cooperate with Levan Khabeishvili

“The true catalyst behind Levan Khabeishvili’s resignation was the campaign of terror and inhumane treatment inflicted upon us by Georgian Dream and Bidzina Ivanishvili,” United National Movement (UNM) member Lasha Parulava has declared.

According to Parulava, a specific elite faction, the so-called political ‘bubble’, refused to cooperate with Khabeishvili.

“We remember only too well how Levan Khabeishvili was tortured, how the bones in his face were shattered. It was immediately after this that he walked into parliament, exposing the true face of Georgian Dream. Yes, he was suffering from physical trauma. Yet, tragically, a specific group representing the self-proclaimed elite, this ‘bubble’, refused to work with him. They mistakenly believed he was the primary obstacle to opposition unity.

Khabeishvili did not hesitate; he stepped down from his post. However, this opposition ‘bubble’ failed to mount a proper response to Georgian Dream’s repression and terror. Instead of uniting, they fractured into squabbling factions, a failure that directly manifested in the 2024 election results. Khabeishvili spoke openly about this before his arrest,” Lasha Parulava stated.

Parulava maintained that integrity and transparency are paramount in politics, values that Khabeishvili holds in the highest regard.

“He took concrete steps to strengthen a unified front against the Russian regime, ultimately trading his own freedom for this struggle. If we are talking about integrity and transparency, Levan Khabeishvili possessed them. If others lack it, that is their own problem, and it only diminishes their political capital. He addressed this head-on after the elections in a public post, exposing the toxic attitudes that plagued us in 2024 and persist to this day. If certain individuals cannot swallow their egos and choose the national interest, they will inevitably sabotage the collective struggle, a vulnerability Bidzina Ivanishvili exploits daily.

We have always been entirely transparent. I speak openly as part of Levan Khabeishvili’s circle, but our ultimate loyalty lies with Mikheil Saakashvili; we are his comrades-in-arms in this fight. This is precisely why Khabeishvili unhesitatingly relinquished a leadership position he had democratically won, ensuring he would never become an obstacle. Yet, certain opposition figures stopped their posturing just long enough to pocket a banking oligarch’s cash, deals that severely damaged both the common cause and our country. Integrity and transparency are vital right now, at this very second, just as they are required at every single stage if we are to defeat the Russian regime. The moment individuals stop speaking with absolute candour, the collective struggle is undermined. I urge everyone to show the kind of integrity that Khabeishvili has demonstrated more than anyone else across the opposition spectrum,” Parulava added.

Lasha Parulava also expressed gratitude to the current UNM Chairperson, Tina Bokuchava, for her tireless efforts on the international stage.

“The profound impact of her work must be deeply felt over at Imedi and POSTV—thank goodness they are sanctioned, and we have Tina to thank for that. As for genuine honesty, Khabeishvili embodies it. I urge everyone to follow his example. Integrity and transparency are the exact traits every politician needs in this fight. In an environment where repression, terror, and a downward spiral have become normalised, many could learn from Khabeishvili’s example of what a politician should be. Tina Bokuchava remains the chairperson of this party. When new internal elections are held, authority will be formally restored within the party, and only then can we discuss the positions currently under debate,” Parulava concluded.

For context, the current chairperson of the United National Movement, Tina Bokuchava, previously admitted: “I suffered deep remorse that Khabeishvili’s health was given as a false reason for his replacement, which was not the case.”