The new alliance brings together nine parties who want to collectively oppose the government of the ruling Georgian Dream party. According to these parties, the goal is to act jointly and change the political direction of the country.
The collaboration comes after months of ongoing protests in Georgia. Demonstrators repeatedly took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the direction in which they believe the country is being led.
The opposition parties say their cooperation aims at political change through elections. They emphasize the importance of free and fair elections as a means to replace the current rulers.
Promotion
President Salome Zourabichvili has welcomed the formation of the joint opposition front. She called the parties' strategy a possible basis for a broader joint struggle of political and social forces.
Both small and large opposition parties state that their cooperation does not mean they are giving up their own political identities. They want to maintain their different viewpoints but act jointly and coordinate their actions.
The parties also aim to better coordinate their communication and protest actions. According to their joint statement, with this they hope to form a stronger common alternative to the current Georgian government.
The alliance says the ultimate goal is to clearly realign Georgia’s political course toward cooperation with European and transatlantic partners.
At the same time, European institutions have warned that the recent pro-Russian course taken in Georgia could affect the relationship with the European Union. This includes pointing out possible risks for the currently existing visa-free travel for Georgian citizens.