A newly formed alliance of nine opposition parties in Georgia has announced the launch of a “national mobilization campaign,” with a large-scale rally planned for May 26, Independence Day.
The announcement was made on March 31, marking the anniversary of Georgia’s 1991 independence referendum. Speaking on behalf of the alliance, Zurab Japaridze, founder of “Girchi – More Freedom,” said the campaign aims to unite citizens beyond party lines.
“This is an initiative of the opposition alliance, but we want to make it clear: this is not a campaign of these nine parties alone, nor of any single political group. This is a cause for everyone,” Japaridze stated.
The alliance was formed in early March 2026 under the principle of “unity without uniformity,” and brings together the following parties: United National Movement, Federalists, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, Akhali, Girchi – More Freedom, Droa, European Georgia, the National Democratic Party, and Freedom Square.
Japaridze emphasized the symbolic importance of March 31 and May 26 in Georgia’s history. He recalled that 35 years ago, on March 31, 1991, citizens across the country, including in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, voted overwhelmingly in favor of restoring independence, which was first declared on May 26, 1918.
Alliance members claim that both dates represent critical milestones in Georgia’s struggle for statehood and remain relevant today.
“We believe that Georgia is once again facing a similar challenge regarding its state independence,” Japaridze said.
The campaign is built around five key objectives: increasing direct engagement with citizens, countering what the alliance describes as government propaganda, transforming public frustration and protest into political action, overcoming fear cultivated by the ruling system, and expanding participation in protest movements.
Alliance members say the campaign will run for two months, culminating in what they describe as a “large, mass rally” in Tbilisi on May 26.
Header image: IPN
