UNM fate causes confusion

The resignation from the opposition United National Movement party ( UNM) by four of its members has triggered confusion in Georgia.

A lot of politicians, analysts and even ordinary citizens are busy with speculating on the future of the party rather than future plans and theentions of parliament. Many believe that the UNM will soon become further divided.

The loudest statement concerning the rupture within the UNM was made by Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili.

“Three more additional groups will be created inside the UNM,” Gharibashvili said.

Member of the Republicans Levan Berdzenishvili did not exclude the split of the party entirely, but stated that “We respect their choice,” he said.

Sociologist Zurab Bigvava states that the UNM has suffered crisis since the 2012 parliamentary elections and tried to find a way to survive.

“Certain members of the party viewed the situation as it was and were in seeking of an outcome. As it appears one of the outcomes was leaving the party. I believe that big amount of those people who will leave the UNM will join the Free Democrats. There are some individuals, Zurab Japaridze among them, whose leave will be negatively reflected on the UNM votes.”

Analyst Gia Khukhashvili believes that the UNM has failed to achieve its goals in terms of the current government and the collapse caused controversy within the UNM.

“When the energy that it targeted for others is not used positively this energy returns back where from it had been sent and creates confrontations,” Khukhashvili said, noting that that the leave of the four MPs from the UNM will not seriously change the rating of the UNM.

“Actually current ratings in Georgia are based on two individuals: Bidzina Ivanishvili and Mikheil Saakashvili. Voters still vote for Saakashvili when it comes to the UNM and Ivanishvili when it concerns the Georgian Dream coalition,” Khukhashvili says.

Members of the UNM stress that the government’s joy concerning the split in the UNM is premature and groundless.

“We will not split. It is better for the government to think on how to take the country out from the current economic crises rather than walk with smiling faces as if the UNM is splitting,” UNM MP Mikheil Matchavariani said.

It is hard to forecast what might happen, but it is very likely some new groups and coalitions to be emerging for the upcoming 2016 parliamentary elections.