The United National Movement (UNM) has issued contradictory statements regarding its status within the Georgian opposition alliance, claiming voluntary departure just days after a member reported an expulsion. On Wednesday, UNM governing council member Ana Tsitlidze told TV Pirveli that the party discovered it had been expelled only after its logo vanished from the alliance’s updated Facebook branding. She insisted that no formal withdrawal decision was made by the political or governing councils, describing the earlier reports as an incorrect interpretation of events.
The expulsion dispute
Tsitlidze argued that the UNM had not actively participated in the alliance for several months, particularly following intensified attacks on former President Mikheil Saakashvili. "We did not leave," she stated. "We found out yesterday that we had been expelled from the alliance, after it was announced that we were no longer on the logo." She questioned the timing of this development, asking why the alliance discussed her party’s removal while a serious constitutional lawsuit remained under consideration. The alliance representatives denied any formal expulsion procedure took place, maintaining that the UNM simply stopped engaging with their coordinated efforts against the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Leadership contradictions and history
Coalition for Change leader Nika Gvaramia categorically denied the expulsion claim to TV Pirveli, calling it a lie because such actions require a specific procedural process. He noted that Irakli Pavlenishvili, the UNM governing council chair, had spoken about leaving the alliance two weeks prior to the public controversy. Pavlenishvili confirmed to OC Media that the UNM ceased participating in the alliance’s work but never formalized this exit through a statement or council vote. He explained that repeated attacks by other members forced the party into a defensive posture, making active membership untenable. The alliance formed in early March with nine parties agreeing on a common strategy to remove Georgian Dream from power. Internal power struggles have hindered the group’s ability to present a united front, especially during the 2024 parliamentary elections. The parties described their grouping as a democratic alternative based on unity without uniformity, aiming to mobilize society for peaceful protest. Despite these shared goals, the current discord highlights deep-seated grievances among the founding members.
