UNM opposition elects new chair

Levan Khabeishvili on Monday won the election of the chairman of the United National Movement – the largest opposition  group in the country, defeating incumbent Nika Melia following the intra-party controversies related to imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili. 

The results were announced by the chairman of the election commission of the party, Koba Nakopia, with votes distributed among the candidates were as follows:

Nona Mamulashvili – 1,537 votes (3.73%);

Nika Melia – 16,476 votes (40%);

Giorgi Mumladze – 1,516 votes (3.68%);

Levan Khabeishvili – 21,656 votes (52.58%).

Voting to elect the chairman of the party started after 10 a.m. on January 28 and ended today, with 49,638 people registered, of which  41,264 voted electronically. 

On November 9, 2022, some of the members of the UNM requested to hold elections for the chairman of the party. On the same day, Melia said that the elections were the “ most comfortable” process for him and he was ready to start this process.

On January 10 Khabeishvili claimed that he would not take part in the election of the chairman of any party.  However, on November 16, he held a briefing in the party and noted that he had made the decision to participate in the race.