Ex-president Margvelashvili reportedly appointed a new head of UNM opposition

The fourth president of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili, has been appointed a  chairman of the United National Movement (UNM) opposition party, Rustavi 2 reported earlier today. 

 

The media outlet says that Margvelashvili received the offer from imprisoned third President Mikheil Mikheil Saakashvili personally, and that the  party has already made a decision on this issue.

 

The United National Movement has not confirmed the information so far. 

 

Nika Melia is the current chair of the party. 

 

Irakli Kobakhidze, the chairman of the Georgian Dream (GD) ruling party, says that the move “is logical as Margvelashvili and the UNM’s views match.” 

 

“Until now, Margvelashvili was in fact a regular member of the UNM, and when you become a chairperson from a regular member, it is a serious promotion. This is half a joke…” Kobakhidze said. 

 

Margvelashvili was nominated for president back in 2013 by the Georgian Dream. However, shortly after taking the post, controversies emerged between him and the party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili. 

 

Margvelashvili refused to re-run for the post. 

 

Earlier this month Margvelashvili visited Kyiv along with the UNM members. 

 

The UNM is described as a “destructive opposition” by the ruling party.