For the People (Georgian: ხალხისთვის, romanized: khalkhistvis) is a centre-left political party in Georgia. It was founded in 2021 by the former Deputy Minister of Defence Ana Dolidze and participated in the 2021 local elections. It is currently a part of the Strong Georgia coalition taking part in the 2024 parliamentary election.
For the People ხალხისთვის | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Ana Dolidze |
| Founded | 22 May 2021[1] |
| Registered | 16 July 2021 |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Centre-left[3][4] |
| National affiliation | Strong Georgia (since 2024) |
| Colors | |
| Seats In Parliament | 1 / 150
|
| Municipal Councilors | 2 / 2,068
|
| Seats In Tbilisi City Assembly | 1 / 50
|
| Website | |
| 4people | |
History
edit
On May 21, 2020, Ana Dolidze, the former Parliamentary Secretary of the President of Georgia and former Deputy Minister of Defence, founded the "For the People" civil movement. According to her, the goal of the movement is to create a new political entity with "clean hands", which would end the bipolar system dominated by Georgian Dream and United National Movement.[5] She subsequently ran as an independent candidate in the Didube-Chughureti majoritarian district in the 2020 parliamentary election finishing in the third place. On May 22, 2021, For the People was turned into a political party.[6][7]
In the 2021 local elections, Dolidze ran as a candidate for the 2021 Tbilisi mayoral election finishing in fourth place, receiving 4.56% (21,935) of the votes.[8] The party received 0.85% (14 988) of the votes throughout the country and won one mandate each in Tbilisi and Kazbegi Sakrebulos.[9]
For the People supported the protests held against the introduction and passing of the 'Foreign Agent Law'.[10][11] The party subsequently signed the Georgian Charter initiated by the president Salome Zourabichvili that sets out goals for a possible future government.[12] On 17 July 2024, For the People along with Freedom Square decided to join the Lelo for Georgia-led Strong Georgia coalition for the 2024 parliamentary election.[13][14]
Ideology
editFor the People has been described as a centre-left and a left-leaning party.[3][4][15] Its ideology has been placed as social democracy.[2] The party is strongly in favour of EU integration.[3]
For the People is vocal about women's issues.[16] The party backs regulating the gambling industry and combatting gambling addiction. It additionally calls for judicial reform and criticizes the overrepresentation of former associates of billionaire businessmen and oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili in the Georgian Dream government. Dolidze has been named as an ally of President Zourabichvili.[15]
Electoral results
editParliamentary
edit| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position | Government | Coalition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Ana Dolidze | 182,922 | 8.81 | 1 / 150
|
New | 4th | Opposition | Strong Georgia |
Local elections
edit| Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/– |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021[17] | 14 988 | 0.85 | 2 / 2,068
|
New |
Tbilisi city assembly election results
edit| Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/– |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021[18] | 12 337 | 2.58 | 1 / 50
|
New |
Tbilisi Mayor Elections
edit| Election | Candidate | Votes | % | Place | +/– |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021[18] | Ana Dolidze | 21 935 | 4,56 | 4th | New |
External links
editReferences
edit- ^ "Anna Dolidze Inaugurates New Political Party". 22 May 2021.
- ^ a b Jan Jakob Langer (7 March 2024). "Georgia before the elections: Between Russian pressure and European influence". Friedrich Naumann Foundation.
- ^ a b c d "Parties, Parliaments and Polling Averages: Georgia". Europe Elects.
- ^ a b "Georgia: Political parties at a glance". PolitPro.
- ^ "Anna Dolidze funded the movement "For the people"". netgazeti.ge (in Georgian). Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ "Anna Dolidze founded a party". netgazeti.ge (in Georgian). Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ "Anna Dolidze Inaugurates New Political Party". Civil Georgia. 22 May 2021.
- ^ "Municipality elections of October 2, 2021". netgazeti.ge (in Georgian). Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ "proportional list "For the people" in the Tbilisi City Council". civil.ge (in Georgian). Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ Rayhan Demytrie (25 April 2024). "Georgia foreign agents bill draws protesters on to the streets". BBC.
- ^ ilis Halligan (3 July 2024). "INTERVIEW: Georgian opposition politician Anna Dolidze". BNE Intellinews.
- ^ "Opposition Parties Sign Georgian Charter". Civil Georgia. 3 June 2024.
- ^ "Lelo party, Ana Dolidze and Freedom Square unite". Georgian Public Broadcaster. 17 July 2024.
- ^ "Another pre-election political alliance formed in Georgia". JAMnews. 18 July 2024.
- ^ a b Shota Kincha (17 July 2024). "Three Georgian opposition parties to unite ahead of elections". OC Media.
- ^ "From Stray Dogs to Orwellian Pigs: Campaign Highlights of Georgian Elections". Civil Georgia. 1 October 2021.
- ^ "October 2, 2021 Municipal Elections".
- ^ a b "October 2, 2021 Municipal Elections".