Mikheil Saakashvili: I propose that the party establish a "Council of Reformers" – a council chaired by me that will become a center of attraction; I have decided that Nanuka Zhorzholiani should serve as the Council's Executive Secretary and be my main link to the people

Mikheil Saakashvili has called on the United National Movement to establish a "Council of Reformers," which he would chair, while proposing Nanuka Zhorzholiani for the position of the Council's Executive Secretary.

According to a statement Saakashvili published on social media, the Council would serve as a public platform that would be open not only to party members but also to professionals, patriots, and other individuals outside the party.

Saakashvili said that extensive discussions about the future of the United National Movement have been taking place in recent weeks and that the high level of public engagement shows many people recognize the party's importance for Georgia's future. At the same time, he acknowledged public dissatisfaction with the current state of the opposition and announced the launch of fundamental and systemic reforms.

He noted that on July 8, the terms of all party officials expire under the party's charter and thanked them for their work under difficult circumstances, giving special recognition to the party's regional supporters. He said the party is entering a transitional period, with a party congress planned for the end of July to elect an interim governing body. He added that, given what he described as the conditions of dictatorship, the only formal leadership position that should be retained as a sign of solidarity is that of the party's leader, Levan Khabeishvili, while he remains imprisoned.

Saakashvili said the proposed Council of Reformers would effectively build a new party structure and oversee the United National Movement's comprehensive transformation into what he described as a modern, youth-oriented, people-centered movement. He stressed that the Council would operate on a horizontal model, with all members enjoying equal status and independence, and that the party should prioritize promoting new faces and young leaders.

Explaining his decision to nominate Zhorzholiani, Saakashvili said that imprisonment has significantly limited his direct communication with society and prevented him from personally getting to know many emerging opposition leaders. He said Zhorzholiani would become his primary link with the public while serving as Executive Secretary of the Council.

He added that in the autumn the Council would present a plan for the party's fundamental transformation, envisioning a highly decentralized movement in which decisions would be made by all members and active supporters, formal leadership positions would be reduced to a minimum, and all internal bodies would be elected and replaced through universal voting.

Saakashvili also argued that traditional party structures cannot effectively operate under what he described as a dictatorship. He said the movement should adopt a decentralized model capable of surviving even if the party were formally banned, with every member and supporter effectively serving as an independent center of activity. He added that the party's funding model would also be reformed to allow broader direct participation by supporters.

"Our goal is not competition with others or pointless debates, but focusing on removing the dictatorship, saving Georgia at this critical historical moment, and returning the country to the path of major reforms," Saakashvili wrote.

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