UNM’s Pavlenishvili says Saakashvili’s post was statement of historical fact, not confrontation; alliance remains united on joint struggle

“The post contained a statement of historical fact; it spoke of the past. It was not confrontational towards anyone, and carried, among other things, a recommendatory character,” said Irakli Pavlenishvili, a member of the United National Movement, in response to a question concerning former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili’s Facebook post of April 18.

Pavlenishvili was also questioned about the statement issued by the eight parties within the Opposition Alliance regarding the same issue. Journalists inquired why the UNM had not signed the statement and whether this reflected a strategic disagreement among the parties.

“Strategy has nothing to do with it; the post is not connected to strategy. We simply disagree that the post was confrontational in character. It was not confrontational towards a single opposition politician. Saakashvili subsequently wrote a follow-up post in which he addressed precisely this point. He provided an evaluation of the past, and currently, we are united in our commitment to cooperate and stand together in the fight against Ivanishvili. That is, among other things, Saakashvili’s unequivocal and clear position. The post was advisory in nature, though unfortunately, our partners within the Alliance did not fully grasp that. The United National Movement has no objection whatsoever and no differing view regarding this post. It was a statement of historical facts and a well-intentioned piece of advice that all opposition politicians should travel more widely across the country and maintain closer contact with the citizens,” Irakli Pavlenishvili stated.

On April 18, former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili wrote on social media: “Our path cannot be the Hungarian one, it must be the Georgian one. The Georgian way is revolution. You sit in your warm television studios and wonder why people aren’t coming out onto Rustaveli.”

Eight parties within the Opposition Alliance responded to the post with a statement of their own: “No single party has the right to declare itself the sole representative of the protest movement, or to position itself as a one-party or one-man leadership.”

For reference, nine opposition parties announced the formation of the Opposition Alliance on March 2. Its members are: Ahali, Girchi, Droa, European Georgia, the United National Movement, the National Democratic Party, Freedom Square, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, and the Federalists.