UNM says party registration not support for elections under ‘Russian regime’

The opposition United National Movement (UNM) has denied claims that it is participating in upcoming local elections under the ruling Georgian Dream government, which it accuses of serving the interests of Russia.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, UNM Political Council member Lasha Parulava clarified the party’s recent procedural move to retain its traditional electoral number, stressing that this did not amount to formal participation in what he described as a “Russian special operation.”

“Of course, we are not participating in the Russian special operation,” Parulava said. “This is not election registration. This is about protecting our number 5, which is not only our electoral number, but part of our political identity.”

UNM has historically used the number 5 on electoral ballots since the aftermath of the 2003 Rose Revolution, during which it rose to power under then-President Mikheil Saakashvili. Parulava said the number symbolized a legacy of reforms and the country’s path toward European integration.

“This number is the brand under which Georgia moved toward the European Union. Preserving it is essential for us,” he noted. “We will use it in the future - after the Georgian people defeat the Russian regime and restore democracy in the country. Then we will participate in free and fair elections with this number.”

Parulava emphasized that the move was symbolic and legal in nature and should not be interpreted as engagement with the current political process under Georgian Dream, which he accused of having deviated from constitutional principles.

“We are defenders of constitutional principles and the law. If anyone is violating the constitution, it is Ivanishvili’s regime,” he added, referring to Georgian Dream’s founder and honorary chair, Bidzina Ivanishvili.