Former Members of European Georgia Launch New Political Party Federalists
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Former members of the European Georgia party have announced the formation of a new political party named Federalists. The official presentation of the party is scheduled for August 15, with the party congress set to take place in September.
Tamar Chergoleishvili, explained that the foundation of the Federalists is rooted in the belief that federalism is the most effective system for balancing and restraining power. "Federalism is not just a territorial arrangement," Chergoleishvili said, "it is the best system for balancing and restraining power."
She further elaborated on the motivation behind the party's creation, pointing to systemic issues within the country. "The fact that the lives of people and children have no value in this country is a systemic problem. We believe that federalism is the key to solving this problem."
Chergoleishvili stated that federalism is a natural system for European countries, including Georgia, and is essential for breaking free from what she described as a coercive, centralized state influenced by Russia. "Until we free ourselves from this coercive system and carry out radical decentralization, we cannot return to Western civilization at home - in Europe," she stated.
The creation of the Federalists party follows recent internal tensions within European Georgia. On August 1, Giga Bokeria stepped down as chairman of European Georgia and left the party. Chergoleishvili also withdrew from the party's election list, citing disagreements over the direction of the party and the handling of primary elections.
The new party aims to address the issues of centralization and corruption by promoting a decentralized system where local politicians are held accountable by their constituents rather than being beholden to powerful leaders or oligarchs. "In a decentralized system, politicians, even at the smallest level, are given weight by the citizens of Georgia," Chergoleishvili noted. "They need their services to elect politicians, not the compliments dedicated to the leaders and oligarchs."
Chergoleishvili emphasized that federalism is the solution to both national and individual problems, and it is through this system that Georgia can fully integrate into Europe. "Federalism is the key to our national and individual problems, this is how we will return home to Europe, and that is why we named our party Federalists," she said.
