“One of the organisers of the large-scale protest is the United National Movement. Georgian politics revolves around the United National Movement. For 13 years, Georgian Dream has been constructing its entire approach around the United National Movement. How do opposition parties define their identity? By simply stating they are not the UNM. But then, who are they? Well, if they’re not UNM, then who exactly are they?” said Levan Sanikidze, a member of the United National Movement, during an interview with a media outlet.

According to him, directing further criticism at the opposition is not appropriate.

“In this country, being an oppositionist means being a dissident person who is subjected to government repression. The confrontation with Ivanishvili’s government doesn’t only take place in the streets. In my firm belief, the much more significant leverage for bringing down Ivanishvili’s government—around 70 per cent—is determined from outside, with the remaining 30 per cent coming from within. A wave has its own logical momentum, which requires careful preparation. I believe we are in that period now. I do not have the impression that 200,000 people will take to the streets tomorrow.

Bidzina Ivanishvili’s main concern extends beyond our borders. In this regard, no one is more active than the foreign team of the United National Movement, including the party chairman, the foreign secretary, and Mikheil Saakashvili’s contacts. It has never been successful to form a broad opposition coalition without the United National Movement, and that simply will not happen. Our ultimate aim is not to seek prominence under a party banner. You won’t find a single video of me walking around with that as my goal; it’s not what I aspire to.

Tell me, when did Salome Zourabichvili undertake the last major international visit? Whose hand did she shake? Who did she speak to? Where did she amplify the voice of the people? She experienced that moment, particularly, in the first three to four months after the parliamentary election fraud, when the entire opposition rallied behind her. She enjoyed not only the privileges of the presidential office but also the collective support of the opposition; all four coalitions that crossed the electoral threshold recognised her as the leader, Madam Salome. Since then, United National Movement leaders have held organised meetings, whether with Ursula von der Leyen or Friedrich Merz,” Sanikidze declared.

According to Sanikidze’s statement, “Salome Zourabichvili is currently alone and represents neither Lelo’s, nor Gakharia’s teams, nor the United National Movement’s position”.

“The UNM’s contacts have always been strong. These are contacts accumulated since 2003. That’s why I’m a party member. Perhaps I wouldn’t have taken this step if I believed it possible to achieve something through individual play. I believe that having a political party behind you is of critical importance in such a game, and Salome Zourabichvili is currently alone. She represents neither Lelo’s position, nor Gakharia’s team’s, nor the United National Movement’s, and I haven’t heard from the others that you’ve declared her leader either,” Sanikidze stated.