Journalist and television host Nanuka Zhorzholiani says Georgia’s largest opposition party, the United National Movement, may need a “crisis manager” rather than a traditional politician to lead it through its current challenges.
In a social media post, Zhorzholiani commented on the ongoing discussion surrounding the party’s future leadership after imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili publicly endorsed her candidacy for the position of party chair.
Zhorzholiani said she had initially hoped to work within the party under the leadership of current chairperson Tina Bokuchava.
“It would have been ideal for me and Misha to integrate into the National Movement under the chairmanship of Tina Bokuchava. As I have said before, she is smarter than me, more experienced than me, she knows things that I do not know, and perhaps she lacks some of the skills that I have. We would have been ideal partners, and it is a pity that it did not work out that way,” Zhorzholiani wrote.
She stressed that Saakashvili remains the party’s principal leader and praised several opposition figures currently imprisoned, including Levan Khabeishvili and Irakli Nadiradze, for their dedication to the opposition cause.
Zhorzholiani argued that the party should increasingly be led by younger figures, while experienced politicians should continue to provide guidance and support.
“Now the main thing is that this party should be taken over by young people. The veterans will strengthen the backs,” she wrote.
Zhorzholiani claimed that her strengths lie in management rather than traditional politics.
“I consider myself a manager in this party. Maybe the chairman could be like that. Maybe politics no longer needs a politician with a tie. If the party is in crisis now, maybe it needs a crisis manager,” she said.
She also emphasized the importance of strengthening the party’s international engagement, arguing that foreign relations require expertise, experience and an independent team capable of advancing the party’s interests abroad.
The journalist suggested that she could help restore the pace, priorities and public visibility associated with Saakashvili’s leadership style.
“In this century, the crazier the idea, the more effectively it works, so maybe it will work here too,” Zhorzholiani concluded.
Her comments come amid growing debate within the United National Movement over its future leadership and strategy ahead of internal party elections expected later this year.
Chair of the United National Movement, Tina Bokuchava, has expressed disappointment after imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili announced his support for television host Nanuka Zhorzholiani as the party’s next chairperson.
Related story: Bokuchava says Saakashvili’s endorsement of another UNM chair candidate was unexpected
