The National Movement, Lelo, Droa, Ahali, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, and Girchi - More Freedom have signed the Declaration of Unity of the Georgian Opposition, signifying their unification before and after the October 26 parliamentary elections. The parties pledge to avoid attacking each other and will not vote in the new parliament for the formation of a government that includes the Georgian Dream.
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Zurab Japaridze, the leader of Girchi - More Freedom, stated that the opposition's agreement and resource consolidation were ideas proposed by several MEPs. Representatives of the signatory parties clarify that accepting the declaration does not imply participating in the elections with a single list.
"We are concerned about the recent attacks by Georgian Dream, led by oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili. Additionally, the government's actions, which follow the same oligarch and ignore the basic values of democracy while deliberately hindering Georgia's aspirations to join the European Union and NATO, are troubling. We unite around the Georgian Charter and its goals, as presented by President Salome Zourabichvili."
We announce that we will unite before the upcoming elections and, afterwards, in the Parliament of Georgia, to achieve the following goals:
- To free the state from the rule of oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili and the Georgian Dream party under his influence.
- To return Georgia to the path of rapid integration into the European Union.
- To achieve these goals, we will do everything possible to unite and convincingly win the next elections.
We will do this together with the civil society of Georgia and all citizens who support and protect the European future of Georgia.
To win the upcoming elections, we are signing the Declaration of Unity, which implies unity both before and after the parliamentary elections.
We, the undersigned, agree to the following:
- Strengthen efforts before the upcoming elections to ensure that not a single electoral vote is lost and that crossing the 5% threshold is not a problem.
- By no later than July 8, 2024, find the most effective configuration of our unity to achieve maximum results in the elections.
- Maintain ethical standards by discussing the issues facing the country and avoiding attacks on each other before and after the elections.
- Oppose the propaganda of the Georgian Dream with a united effort.
- Agree on forming a unified ruling coalition after the elections to fulfil the goals outlined in the Georgian Charter.
- Commit to not voting in the new parliament for the formation of a government in which Georgian Dream participates.
- After the parliamentary elections, support a united presidential candidate in the presidential elections.
- Unite around strategic political goals and activities with civil protest movements and activists who have fought and continue to fight to protect democracy and return Georgia to the Euro-Atlantic path.
- Call for and mobilize maximum participation of Georgian voters living abroad in the elections and ask partner countries to facilitate this process.
- Agree to join efforts to protect all electoral votes and prevent election fraud.
- Request our Western partners to use all available means to protect the right of Georgian citizens to participate in fair and transparent elections, as this opportunity may be deliberately limited by the Georgian Dream government.
- Call on the OSCE/ODIHR, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and other agencies to ensure long-term observation of the parliamentary elections.
- The parties state that other opposition groups are also welcome to join the declaration.
