Gakharia For Georgia (Georgian: გახარია საქართველოსთვის, romanized: gakharia sakartvelostvis) is a political party in Georgia founded by former Georgian Prime Minister from the Georgian Dream party Giorgi Gakharia. It is currently in opposition with it having 11 MPs in the Georgian parliament.
For Georgia საქართველოსთვის | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Giorgi Gakharia[1] |
| Founded | 29 May 2021 |
| Registered | 21 June 2021[2] |
| Split from | Georgian Dream |
| Headquarters | 4 Dimitri Uznadze Street, Tbilisi |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Centre to centre-left[9] |
| Colors | Purple Blackcurrant Cyan |
| Seats In Parliament | 11 / 150 |
| Municipal Councilors | 107 / 2,068 |
| Seats In Tbilisi City Assembly | 3 / 50 |
| Website | |
| forgeo | |
History
editFoundation
edit
Giorgi Gakharia, a Prime Minsiter from the ruling Georgian Dream party, announced his resignation in February 2021, citing his opposition to the court-ordered arrest of his political rival United National Movement leader Nika Melia on charges of organizing violence in the 2019 protests. He then announced that he no longer agreed with the positions of the Georgian Dream party and his departure. Several MPs from Georgian Dream joined him to form the For Georgia party.[10][11] The MPs included Giorgi Khojevanishvili, Beka Liluashvili, Ana Buchukuri, Alexander Motserelia, Shalva Kereselidze and Mikheil Daushvili.[12] The party presentation was held on 29 May 2021.[13] For Georgia was soon joined by multiple local councillors from several municipalities.[14][15]
2021 Georgian local elections
editThe party participated in the 2021 local elections coming in third place, behind GD and UNM, getting a nationwide vote share of 7.81%. Gakharia also came in third place in the 2021 Tbilisi mayoral election getting 9.41% of the vote. Gakharia refused to endorse either Melia or the incumbent from GD Kakha Kaladze in the second round.[16] It subsequently managed to form coalition governments in four municipalities with the United National Movement and Lelo for Georgia opposition parties.
2024 Georgian parliamentary elections
editThe party supported the widespread protests against the controversial 'foreign agent' bill in 2023 and once again in 2024 after its reintroduction and passage.[17][18] Ahead of the 2024 parliamentary election, For Georgia, by the initiative of the President Salome Zourabichvili, tried to forge a coalition with Lelo's Strong Georgia bloc. On 20 September, For Georgia pulled out of the talks citing irreconcilable differences. Gakharia however thanked the president and Strong Georgia's leader Mamuka Khazaradze for the attempt and pledged future cooperation.[19] For Georgia subsequently announced that Zviad Dzidziguri, the chairman of the Conservative Party, would be running on its electoral list.[20] It also signed the president's initiative Georgian Charter that set out goals for a possible interim coalition government involving For Georgia, Strong Georgia, Unity – National Movement and Coalition for Change in case of their victory in the election for the purpose of ensuring the transition of power from the ruling Georgian Dream party and holding a snap parliamentary election afterwards.[21] However, the For Georgia party also positioned itself as an alternative to both Georgian Dream and National Movement, two largest parties in Georgia at that time, pledging to not form coalition government with any of it in the future.[22] Nevertheless, the For Georgia and other opposition parties suffered a defeat in the 2024 Georgian parliamentary election, with For Georgia receiving 8% of the vote, finishing on 5th place and becoming 4th largest opposition coalition in the government.[23]
Ideology
editFor Georgia describes itself as a social democratic and progressive party.[24] It is usually placed on the centre to centre-left of the political spectrum.[5][8] Its ideology has been described as being based on social liberalism, anti-corruption, reformism, and technocracy with its foreign policy being pro-European.[4][25] Gakharia himself has been described as a liberal politician.[26]
The party's economic policy is based on free market principles, while additionally pledging to create a social protection system that will provide basic social services for the most vulnerable groups of the population. It seeks to strengthen rule of law and checks and balances, reform education system to create competitive human capital, reduce bureaucracy and centralization, take active measures against corruption and influence of interest groups on government agencies, and further integration of Georgia into European Union and NATO.[27] During the 2024 parliamentary election campaign, the party has promised to increase the minimum wage from the nominal 50 lari to 950 lari, introduce 6-month unemployment benefits, and tying the increase of pensions with that of the economy.[28]
In April 2024, the party voiced its support for "ruling party's aspirations to protect family values".[29] In June 2024, despite not attending the discussions in the Parliament of Georgia on the proposed bill to outlaw the "LGBT propaganda" in the country and being accused by the ruling Georgian Dream party of "supporting the LGBT propaganda", the MP Mikheil Daushvili said that the party opposes "propaganda directed at children, especially LGBT propaganda".[30] However, the party considers the ban on LGBT propaganda to be an insufficient measure to encourage the family values, with the MP Shalva Kereselidze saying that the party requires "higher support from the state for the enhancement of the Georgian families", such as more state support for the regions in which the demographic situation is declining due to economic problems.[29]
Electoral performance
editParliamentary election
edit| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Giorgi Gakharia | 161,521 | 7.78 | 11 / 150
|
New | 5th | Opposition |
Local elections
edit| Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/– |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 137 644 | 7.8 | 115 / 2,068
|
New |
Seats in municipal assemblies
edit| Municipal Council | Votes | % | Seats | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi | 42,596 | 8.89 (#3) | 4 / 50
|
Opposition |
| Gurjaani | 1,246 | 4.47 (#3) | 1 / 39
|
Opposition |
| Sighnaghi | 631 | 3.90 (#3) | 1 / 36
|
Opposition |
| Lagodekhi | 582 | 3.09 (#4) | 1 / 30
|
Opposition |
| Kvareli | 909 | 5.54 (#3) | 1 / 27
|
Opposition |
| Telavi | 1,569 | 5.27 (#3) | 1 / 39
|
Opposition |
| Akhmeta | 445 | 3.07 (#3) | 1 / 30
|
Opposition |
| Tianeti | 448 | 7.17 (#4) | 1 / 21
|
Opposition |
| Rustavi | 3,732 | 7.44 (#3) | 3 / 35
|
FG-UNM-Lelo |
| Tsalka | 520 | 5.92 (#3) | 1 / 30
|
Opposition |
| Tetritskaro | 444 | 4.45 (#3) | 1 / 36
|
Opposition |
| Mtskheta | 1,297 | 5.26 (#3) | 1 / 27
|
Opposition |
| Dusheti | 1,164 | 9.58 (#3) | 2 / 33
|
Opposition |
| Kazbegi | 161 | 4.59 (#4) | 1 / 18
|
Opposition |
| Kaspi | 1,508 | 7.67 (#3) | 1 / 30
|
Opposition |
| Gori | 5,744 | 10.26 (#3) | 3 / 37
|
Opposition |
| Kareli | 1,435 | 7.58 (#3) | 1 / 27
|
Opposition |
| Khashuri | 2,585 | 10.63 (#3) | 2 / 27
|
Opposition |
| Borjomi | 528 | 3.75 (#4) | 1 / 33
|
Opposition |
| Akhaltsikhe | 1,274 | 6.44 (#3) | 2 / 39
|
Opposition |
| Ninotsminda | 523 | 4.84 (#3) | 1 / 30
|
Opposition |
| Oni | 777 | 18.05 (#2) | 4 / 33
|
Opposition |
| Ambrolauri | 1,011 | 13.21 (#3) | 3 / 30
|
Opposition |
| Tsageri | 907 | 13.62 (#3) | 4 / 30
|
Opposition |
| Mestia | 400 | 7.35 (#3) | 2 / 33
|
Opposition |
| Kharagauli | 840 | 6.85 (#3) | 2 / 33
|
Opposition |
| Terjola | 1,053 | 5.37 (#4) | 1 / 30
|
Opposition |
| Sachkhere | 1,171 | 4.93 (#3) | 1 / 33
|
Opposition |
| Zestaponi | 2,131 | 7.37 (#3) | 2 / 39
|
Opposition |
| Baghdati | 621 | 5.19 (#3) | 1 / 27
|
Opposition |
| Samtredia | 926 | 3.99 (#3) | 1 / 33
|
Opposition |
| Khoni | 664 | 4.98 (#4) | 1 / 30
|
Opposition |
| Chiatura | 1,558 | 7.64 (#3) | 2 / 36
|
Opposition |
| Tkibuli | 560 | 4.88 (#3) | 1 / 27
|
Opposition |
| Tskaltubo | 1,057 | 4.21 (#3) | 1 / 39
|
Opposition |
| Kutaisi | 4,448 | 6.71 (#3) | 2 / 35
|
Opposition |
| Ozurgeti | 3,228 | 9.29 (#3) | 4 / 30
|
Opposition |
| Lanchkhuti | 1,483 | 9.17 (#3) | 2 / 27
|
Opposition |
| Chokhatauri | 1,250 | 11.28 (#3) | 3 / 36
|
Opposition |
| Abasha | 1,045 | 8.27 (#3) | 2 / 30
|
Opposition |
| Senaki | 3,296 | 15.56 (#3) | 4 / 33
|
Opposition |
| Martvili | 3,355 | 17.10 (#3) | 5 / 36
|
Opposition |
| Khobi | 2,179 | 14.08 (#3) | 4 / 36
|
Opposition |
| Zugdidi | 5,524 | 10.74 (#3) | 3 / 45
|
FG-Ahali-UNM |
| Tsalenjikha | 2,730 | 18.97 (#3) | 3 / 27
|
FG-UNM-Lelo |
| Chkhorotsku | 2,987 | 23.19 (#3) | 7 / 27
|
FG-UNM-Lelo |
| Poti | 2,720 | 13.19 (#3) | 4 / 35
|
Opposition |
| Batumi | 7,587 | 10.03 (#3) | 3 / 35
|
Opposition |
| Keda | 736 | 6.68 (#3) | 1 / 21
|
Opposition |
| Kobuleti | 2,777 | 7.43 (#3) | 2 / 39
|
Opposition |
| Shuakhevi | 757 | 7.77 (#3) | 1 / 21
|
Opposition |
| Khelvachauri | 3,830 | 15.08 (#3) | 2 / 24
|
Opposition |
| Khulo | 938 | 6.42 (#3) | 2 / 24
|
Opposition |
External links
edit- Party Official site Archived 2021-06-26 at the Wayback Machine
References
edit- ^ "Former PM Giorgi Gakharia to Chair for Georgia Party". 30 May 2021.
- ^ "პოლიტიკური პარტიების რეესტრი". National Agency of Public Registry of Ministry of Justice of Georgia.
- ^ a b Jelger Groeneveld (21 October 2024). "In Georgia, elections are about democracy itself". Platform RAAM.
- ^ a b c "Georgia - 3 Political Parties". European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity.
- ^ a b c "Parties, Parliaments and Polling Averages: Georgia". Europe Elects.
- ^ Ross Gower (10 September 2024). "Georgian 2024 Election- A Pivotal Moment for NATO and EU Membership". Center for International Strategic Analyses (KEDISA).
- ^ [4][5][6]
- ^ a b "საარჩევნო კომპასი საპარლამენტო არჩევნები: პოლიტიკური სურათი". Geo Compass.
- ^ [3][5][8]
- ^ "Former PM Gakharia Inaugurates New Political Party". Civil.ge. 2021-05-29. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
- ^ "Გიორგი გახარია დღეს პარტიის პრეზენტაციას გამართავს".
- ^ ""გახარიას გუნდში" უარყოფენ, რომ მომავალი პარტიის უკან ივანიშვილი დგას".
- ^ "Ex-PM Gakharia on his party launch: 'Today we unite for Georgia, but not against anybody'". Agenda.ge. 29 May 2021.
- ^ "ხაშურის საკრებულოს შვიდმა წევრმა "ქართული ოცნება" დატოვა და გახარიას პარტიას შეუერთდა".
- ^ "Rustavi Sakrebulo Deputy Chairman of Georgian Dream Faction Resigns and Joins Gakharia Party".
- ^ "2021 Municipal Elections: Outcomes, Winners, Trends". Civil Georgia. 6 October 2021.
- ^ "Georgian foreign agent law to be dropped after second night of protests rock Tbilisi". OC Media. 9 March 2023.
- ^ "Domestic Reactions to Reintroduction of Draft Law on Foreign Agents". Civil Georgia. 3 March 2024.
- ^ Tamar Tabatadze (20 September 2024). "Gakharia reveals Lelo's condition and failure to reach neutral platform agreement". 1TV.
- ^ "Gakharia's For Georgia Unveils Top MP Candidates for October Vote". Civil Georgia. 25 September 2024.
- ^ "Gakharia – For Georgia Signs President's "Georgian Charter"". Civil Georgia. 23 September 2024.
- ^ ""ნაციონალურ მოძრაობასთან" ერთ მთავრობაში არასდროს ვიქნებით. "ოცნებასთან" კოალიციაც გამორიცხულია - გიორგი გახარია". Bm.ge. 12 September 2024.
- ^ "Among the 5 parties that passed the threshold, 148 mandates were distributed with the so-called real votes, and 2 undistributed mandates were shared by "Georgian Dream" with the best result and Gvaramia-Melia coalition". Interpressnews. 29 October 2024.
- ^ "ღირსეული ცხოვრების მანიფესტი" (PDF). გახარია საქართველოსთვის.
- ^ Wojciech Wojtasiewicz (9 October 2024). "Georgia Facing Key Parliamentary Elections". The Polish Institute Of International Affairs.
- ^ Joseph Alexander Smith (December 2021). ""STAYING POWER" - Accounting for Ephemerality in the Georgian Party System Since 2012" (PDF). Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
- ^ "პროგრამული ხედვა საქართველოსთვის" (PDF). forgeo.ge. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
- ^ ""მინიმალური ხელფასი ამ ქვეყანაში მინიმუმ, დღეს, უნდა იყოს 950 ლარი" – გიორგი გახარია". paraleli.ge. 9 August 2024.
- ^ "Georgian 'LGBT propaganda' bill passes first reading". OC Media. 27 June 2024.