Freedom Square (Georgian: თავისუფლების მოედანი, romanized: tavisuplebis moedani) is a political movement) in Georgia founded by political scientist and civic activist Levan Tsutskiridze.[2] It is competing in the 2024 parliamentary election under the Strong Georgia coalition's electoral list.
Freedom Square თავისუფლების მოედანი | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Levan Tsutskiridze |
| Founded | 1 July 2024 |
| Ideology | Pro-Europeanism[1] |
| Political position | Centre |
| National affiliation | Strong Georgia (since 2024) |
| Colors | Sky Blue |
| Seats In Parliament | 1 / 150
|
| Website | |
| freedomsquare | |
History
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On 1 July 2024, Levan Tsutskiridze announced the formation of a new political movement, 'Freedom Square', with its members including Bakur Kvashilava, Simon Janashia, Davit Gzirishvili, Irma Zoidze, Zurab Parjiani, and Giorgi Shaishmelashvili.[3][4][5] Tsutskiridze, formerly the executive director of the Eastern European Centre for Multiparty Democracy, became prominent during protests against the "foreign agents' law".[6][7]
The movement was formed to compete in the upcoming 2024 parliamentary election. It supports the Georgian Charter offered by President Salome Zourabichvili that sets out the goals of a future government.[8] On 17 July 2024, Freedom Square, along with Lelo for Georgia and For the People announced their unification under a single election list for the upcoming elections in October.[9][10] Subsequently, the alliance was named "Strong Georgia". Later in August, the Citizens party also joined the alliance.[11]
Ideology
editFreedom Square's manifesto is committed to protecting what it sees as Georgia's national interests, achieving EU membership candidate status, and defeating the Georgian Dream government through elections. The movement supports state intervention in the economy seeing it as a way to right some wrongs. It is in favour of free school lunches for all public school kids. Freedom Square additionally supports LGBT rights and gender quotas on the political party's electoral lists.[12]
Electoral results
editParliamentary
edit| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position | Government | Coalition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Levan Tsutskiridze | 182,922 | 8.81 | 1 / 150
|
New | 4th | Opposition | Strong Georgia |
References
edit- ^ "Parties, Parliaments and Polling Averages: Georgia". Europe Elects.
- ^ "Levan Tsutskiridze".
- ^ "Civic Activist Launches New Political Movement: 'Freedom Square'". Civil Georgia. 1 July 2024.
- ^ "The political movement "Freedom Square" was founded". Yazidis.info. 2 July 2024.
- ^ "ლევან ცუცქირიძე პოლიტიკურ მოძრაობას ქმნის". Netgazeti. 1 July 2024.
- ^ "Eastern European Centre for Multiparty Democracy/EECMD".
- ^ "მოვითხოვოთ, რომ გამოვიდეს პრემიერ – მინისტრი და დაგველაპარაკოს"- ლევან ცუცქირიძე". Georgian Times. 17 April 2024.
- ^ "Georgian Charter: President Proposes Unified Goals for Short-Term Parliament, Technical Government". Civil Georgia. 26 May 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.
- ^ "Citizens leader joins Strong Georgia coalition". Georgian Public Broadcaster. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
- ^ "Livecast | Levan Tsutskiridze, Freedom Square". Civil Georgia. 5 July 2024.