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List of political parties in Georgia (country)

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This is a list of political parties in the country of Georgia.

Georgia has a multi-party system.

Active parties

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Major parties

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Parties with parliamentary representation

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The following parties have representation in the Parliament of Georgia.

Official logo Name Ideology Year founded Votes in 2020 proportional parliamentary polls Seats in Parliament Leader Note
Georgian Dream Social democracy
Social conservatism
Syncretism
2012 928,004 (48.22%)
74 / 150
Irakli Kobakhidze Founded by Bidzina Ivanishvili to challenge Mikheil Saakashvili's rule in the 2012 parliamentary election; has been the ruling party in Georgia since then. The party supports more centre-left economic approach compared to the United National Movement while maintaining a liberal economic model, balanced foreign policy, and less repressive criminal policy compared to UNM. Over the years, the party's socially conservative positions became more pronounced.
United National Movement
Euro-Atlanticism
Economic liberalism
Civic nationalism
2001 Ran in coalition as part of Strength is in Unity Bloc.
15 / 150
Levan Khabeishvili Founded in 2001 by Mikheil Saakashvili as a vehicle for opposition politicians to unite and challenge then-president Eduard Shevardnadze. The 2003 Rose Revolution brought party to the power until its defeat in the 2012 election. Since then, the UNM is the main opposition party. The party supports "tough-on-crime" policy, and strongly opposes any rapprochement towards Russia. Saakashvili is a central figure in the party to this day.
People's Power Sovereigntism 2022 Then part of Georgian Dream.
9 / 150
Sozar Subari Formed by a group of MPs who split from Georgian Dream and accused the EU and USA of trying to pressure and overthrow the Georgian government. Its ideology revolves around "protecting Georgia's sovereignty" from foreign forces and limiting foreign influence. The group proposed a law similar to FARA, which was met by protests and eventually rejected.
After initially only being active as a political movement, People's Power was registered as a party in March 2024. It remains a part of the parliamentary majority together with GD.
For Georgia Reformism
Pro-Europeanism
2021 Then part of Georgian Dream.
5 / 150
Giorgi Gakharia Formed by former Georgian Dream Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, who resigned and left GD in 2021. The party has been critical of both the GD government and the opposition United National Movement.
Girchi Right-libertarianism 2016 55,598 (2.89%)
4 / 150
Iago Khvichia A right-libertarian party that split from UNM, known for its strong support for legalization of cannabis in Georgia and free market economic policy.
European Socialists Social democracy
Social conservatism
2020 Then part of Alliance of Patriots of Georgia.
4 / 150
Fridon Injia A group of businessmen that broke from the Alliance of Patriots to establish their own political grouping in parliament. A party has social democratic and conservative views.
Progress and Freedom Euro-Atlanticism 2020 Ran in coalition as part of Strength is in Unity Bloc.
3 / 150
Tsezar Chocheli
Kakhaber Okriashvili
Founded by businessman Kakha Okriashvili, who was previously associated with the GD but currently is partner of UNM.
State for the People Christian democracy 2016 Ran in coalition as part of Strength is in Unity Bloc.
3 / 150
Nato Chkheidze Founded by Paata Burchuladze as an attempt to bring new faces to politics, generally considered to be unsuccessful project. The party was rebranded since then and currently is in coalition with other opposition parties to remove GD from government.
Lelo for Georgia Centrism
Pro-Europeanism
2019 60,712 (3.15%)
2 / 150
Mamuka Khazaradze Founded by banker Mamuka Khazaradze.
Strategy Aghmashenebeli
Euro-Atlanticism
2016 Ran in coalition with Law and Justice.
2 / 150
Giorgi Vashadze Founded by former UNM government official Giorgi Vashadze as a new beginning for Vashadze's political ambitions.
Citizens Populism
Euro-Atlanticism
2020 25,508 (1.33%)
2 / 150
Aleko Elisashvili Founded by activist Aleko Elisashvili, described as populist.
Republican Party Classical liberalism 1978 Ran in coalition as part of Strength is in Unity Bloc.
1 / 150
Khatuna Samnidze Oldest active Georgian political party, founded on liberal principles during the late Soviet period.
Law and Justice Euro-Atlanticism 2019 Ran in coalition with Strategy Aghmashenebeli.
1 / 150
Tako Charkviani Founded by former UNM politician Tako Charkviani
National Democratic Party Conservatism 1988 421 (0.02%)
1 / 150
Bachuki Kardava One of the oldest Georgian parties, actively involved in national movement of the late Soviet period, seeking to secure Georgia's independence from the Soviet Union. The party's then-nationalistic and theocratic views have been replaced by more christian democratic positions.
Victorious Georgia
Militarism
2019 Ran in coalition as part of Strength is in Unity Bloc.
1 / 150
Irakli Okruashvili Founded by former UNM defence minister Irakli Okruashvili, who supported a military solution to the Ossetia conflict. The party strongly opposes Russian migration to Georgia during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with the party's leader even suggesting a violent action to curb immigration.

The following parties won seats in the 10th Parliament of Georgia but have since then resigned them.

Logo Name Ideology Year founded Votes in the 2020 parliamentary polls Leader Note
European Georgia – Movement for Liberty Classical liberalism
Atlanticism
2017 72,986 (3.79%) Giga Bokeria Founded by former UNM politicians, considered to be more liberal counterpart of the UNM
Alliance of Patriots of Georgia National conservatism
Sovereigntism
2012 60,480 (3.14%) Irma Inashvili A national-conservative party which is sceptical of Georgia's attempts to join the EU and NATO. The party supports more balanced foreign policy with Russia. It strongly opposes UNM and proposed to ban it on the ground that it ran "criminal regime in Georgia during 2003–2012", namely appealing to documented torture in prisons during the UNM's years. UNM has described APG as "GD's satellite".
Georgian Labour Party Left-wing populism
Atlanticism
1995 19,314 (1.00%) Shalva Natelashvili Founded by Shalva Natelashvili, one of the oldest but also minor parties
Girchi – More Freedom Right-libertarianism
Atlanticism
2020 Then a part of Girchi. Zurab Girchi Japaridze A right-libertarian party founded by Zura Japaridze after leaving New Political Center – Girchi.
Droa Social liberalism
Atlanticism
2021 Then a part of European Georgia. Elene Khoshtaria A socially liberal party founded by former UNM minister Elene Khoshtaria.
Regions for Georgia Regionalism
Liberalism
Atlanticism
2023 Then a part of European Georgia Tariel Nakaidze A party founded by Muslim Georgian MP Tariel Nakaidze, aimed at promoting the political rights of ethnic minorities.
Ahali Social liberalism
Atlanticism
2024 Then a part of UNM Nika Gvaramia
Nika Melia
A split from the United National Movement, founded by its former chairman Nika Melia after the latter lost his reelection for the chairmanship of the party, along with Nika Gvaramia.

Parties with local representation

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The following parties have no nationwide representation but have elected officials at the local level.

Logo Name Ideology Year founded Seats held in Leader Note
For the People Progressivism
Pro-Europeanism
2021 Tbilisi, Kazbegi Anna Dolidze A centre-left party founded by former government official Anna Dolidze, not associated previously with any other party.
Free Georgia Conservatism 2010 Lentekhi Kakha Kukava Founded by former Conservative Party member Kakha Kukava.

Small parties

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The following parties have no elected official but took part in the 2021 local elections.

Name Ideology Year founded Leader
Mamuli Reformism
Centrism
1993 Teimuraz Bobokhidze
Nation Populism
Atlanticism
Centralism
1989 Mirian Mirianashvili
Alliance of Democrats Localism 2021 Giorgi Buchukuri
SAKHE + Pro-Europeanism
Civic nationalism
2020 Ednar Bagrationi
Free Choice – New Alternative Pro-Europeanism
Socialism
2018 Giorgi Pataridze
Left-Wing Alliance Christian democracy
Social democracy
2013 Ioseb Shatberashvili
Tribuna Left-wing populism 2020 Davit Chichinadze
Our United Georgia Reformism 2021 Isaki Giorgadze
Third Way Socialism 2021 Giorgi Tumanishvili
European Democrats Pro-Europeanism
Abkhaz conflict resolution
Social democracy
2005 Paata Davitaia
Sakartvelo Reformism
Georgian nationalism
Euroscepticism
Caucasian federalism
2016 Giorgi Liluashvili
Snap Elections – United Georgia – Democratic Movement Conservatism
Euroscepticism
2008 Nino Burjanadze
Future Georgia Socialism 2008 Giorgi Laghidze
Social Justice Social democracy 2020 Mamuka Tuskadze
Greens Party Green conservatism 1989 Gia Gachechiladze
Tamaz Mechiauri for United Georgia Sovereigntism
Localism
Right-wing populism
2016 Vacant
Reformers Conservatism 2014 Davit Mirotadze
Whites Right-wing populism
Sovereigntism
Christian democracy
2012 Teimuraz Shashiashvili
New Christian-Democrats Christian democracy 2021 Gogi Tsulaia
Reformer Reformism
Direct democracy
Pro-Europeanism
Liberalism
2020 Tornike Janashvili
Tavisupleba – Zviad Gamsakhurdias Gza Georgian nationalism
National conservatism
Christian democracy
State capitalism
2004 Malkhazi Gorgasalidze
Georgian Troupe Left-wing nationalism 2007 Jondi Baghaturia
Socialist Workers' Party Communism 1999 Tamaz Japoshvili
People's Party Conservatism 2006 Alexandre Kobaidze
Georgian Social-Democratic Party Social democracy 1989 Avtandil Veltauri

The following parties registered but failed ballot access in the 2021 local elections.

Name Ideology Year founded Leader
XX Century Christian communism 2021 Grigol Oniani
Party of Georgian Unity Georgian nationalism
Localism
1990 Giorgi Chincharauli
Free Democrats Classical liberalism
Europeanism
2009 Tamar Kekenadze
Green Earth Eco-socialism 2020 Nugzar Meladze
For Justice Judicial independence
Pro-Europeanism
2019 Eka Beselia
Georgia's Euro-Atlantic Way Atlanticism 2020 Shorena Gardapkhadze

The following parties have no elected official but took part in the 2020 parliamentary election.

Name Ideology Year founded Leader 2020 results
Zviad's Way (For God, Justice, and Country) Theocratic authoritarianism 1990 Vacant 1,563 (0.08%)
Social-Democrats for Georgia's Development Social democracy 2010 Gia Zhorzholiani 4,413 (0.23%)
New Power Far-right 2020 Lazare Zakariadze 1,458 (0.08%)
Georgian Roots Georgian nationalism
Diaspora repatriation
2020 Tengiz Okropilashvili 1,914 (0.1%)
Political Movement of Veterans of the Armed Forces and Patriots of Georgia Militarism
Atlanticism
2007 Gia Berdzenidze 3,245 (0.17%)
Change Georgia Economic populism
Liberalism
2020 Giorgi Gagnidze 1,292 (0.07%)
Conservative Party National conservatism
Monarchism
2001 Zviad Dzidziguri 3,124 (0.16%)
Patriotic Order – Homeland Localism
Sovereigntism
2001 Grigoli Sokhadze 583 (0.03%)
Choice for Homeland Social democracy 2020 Lela Guledani 536 (0.03%)
National Democratic Movement State capitalism 2014 Davit Shukakidze 4,850 (0.25%)
Movement for a Free Georgia Atlanticism 2018 Khatuna Koiava 739 (0.04%)
Georgian Choice Sovereigntism
Social democracy
2020 Bezhan Gunava 2,165 (0.11%)
Our Georgia – Solidarity Alliance Social democracy
Pro-Europeanism
2020 Mariam Jashi 8,335 (0.43%)
Georgian Idea Monarchism
Hard Euroscepticism
2014 Levan Chachua 8,263 (0.43%)
Georgian March National conservativism
Sovereigntism
2017 Sandro Bregadze 4,753 (0.25%)
Progressive Georgia Progressivism 2020 Irakli Murtskhvaladze 980 (0.05%)
Euro-Atlantic Vector Atlanticism
Reformism
2011 Sergo Javakhidze 424 (0.02%)
Christian-Democratic People's Movement Christian democracy 2020 Ani Rekhviashvili 334 (0.02%)
Georgia's Development State capitalism 2020 Ketevan Gogoladze 1,549 (0.08%)
Traditionalists Georgian nationalism
Conservatism
Monarchism
1989 Akaki Asatiani 479 (0.02%)
Industry Will Save Georgia Economic nationalism
Protectionism
Euroscepticism
1999 Gogi Topadze 1,048 (0.05%)

The following parties registered but failed ballot access in the 2020 parliamentary election.

Name Ideology Year founded Leader
Political League of Georgian Highlanders Centrism
State capitalism
Isolationism
1988 Gela Pitskhelauri
Party of Georgian National Unity Center-left
Isolationism
1988 Giorgi Chincharauli
Voice of Mother, Voice of Nation Socialism
Conservatism
2009 Nina Kvesadze
New 2016 Giorgi Lemonjava
National-Christian Party for Georgia Georgian nationalism
Far-right
1999 Davit Khomasuridze
Consolidation Party of Georgian Citizens 1998 Erekle Ivelashvili
Friendship Union, Independence and Prosperity 1998 Shota Mebuke
Georgian Conservative Monarchist Party Conservatism
Monarchism
Atlanticism
1989 Temur Zhorzholiani
Christian-Conservative Party Christian democracy
Conservatism
1997 Shota Malashkhia
Party of Georgian Unity and Development Authoritarianism 2020 Kamal Muradkhanov
Union for Protection of the Georgian Pensioners' Right Socialism 1997 Irakli Natsvlishvili
Unity of Iberians Georgian nationalism
Socialism
Pro-Russianism
2019 Giorgi Tsiptauri
Unity of Georgian Nationalists Georgian nationalism
Conservatism
1991 Gaioz Mamaladze

The following parties have not taken part in the last two election cycles but maintain an active organization.

Logo Name Ideology Year founded Leader
Greens Party Green conservatism 1989 Giorgi Gachechiladze
Rustavel's Path Georgian nationalism
Atlanticism
2023 Akia Barbakadze
Greens Green
Feminism
2022 Tamar Jakeli
Ilia Chavchavadze Society Federalism
Georgian nationalism
1987 Tamar Chkheidze
Unified Communist Party of Georgia Marxism–Leninism
Soviet patriotism
1994 Nugzar Avaliani

Historical parties

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Held national offices

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The following parties held at least one legislative seat since 1990, but have ceased to exist.

Logo Party Ideology Years active Note
Round Table—Free Georgia Georgian nationalism
Sovereignism
Pan-Caucasianism
1990–1994 An alliance of Georgian political parties led by Zviad Gamsakhurdia. It played a decisive role in the restoration of independence of Georgia and was a governing coalition in 1990–1992.
National Forum Isolationism
Parliamentarism
Classical radicalism
2006–2017 Radical political party led by Kakha Shartava and in the opposition in 2006–2012. Part of the ruling coalition in 2012–2016. Absorbed by the Development Movement in 2017.
New Rights Liberal conservatism
Classical radicalism
2001–2019 One of the largest opposition parties, formed in 2001 as the New Conservative Party by uniting the New Faction, New Movement, and Neo-Conservative Union. A member of several opposition blocks, including the 2004 Right Opposition, the 2008 United Opposition, and the 2018 Strength is in Unity. Absorbed by Lelo for Georgia in 2019.
Christian-Democratic Movement Christian democracy
Social conservatism
2008–2018 Opposition party with seats in the 2008–2012 Parliament. Party has never been disbanded but it has not had any activity since the 2018 presidential election.
Democratic Union for Revival Regionalism
Socialism
1991–2004 Originally known as the Adjaran Union for the Rebirth of Georgia, one of the largest opposition parties in the 1990s. Held control of the Adjarian Autonomous Republic and led by Aslan Abashidze. Party disbanded when the latter fled Georgia in 2004.
For a New Georgia Social democracy 2003–2008 Created during the 2003 parliamentary election to back Eduard Shevardnadze after the collapse of the Citizens' Union. The party ceased to function after the Rose Revolution but kept 19 MPs until 2008.
Union of Citizens of Georgia Social democracy
Conservatism
1993–2003 Ruling party from 1993 to 2003. Led by President Eduard Shevardnadze. Abolished in 2003 ahead of the parliamentary election and replaced by For a New Georgia.
Socialist Party Socialism 1995–2003 Formed as an opposition party and integrated into an alliance with the Democratic Union for Revival during the 1999 parliamentary election. Stopped functioning following the Rose Revolution.
Konstantine Gamsakhurdia Society Socialism
Social conservatism
1992–2003 Formed as an opposition party and integrated into an alliance with the Democratic Union for Revival during the 1999 parliamentary election. Stopped functioning following the Rose Revolution.
Georgian Freedom and Unity Movement Conservatism 1992–2003 Formed as an opposition party and integrated into an alliance with the Democratic Union for Revival during the 1999 parliamentary election. Stopped functioning following the Rose Revolution.
Union of Reformers and Agrarians Center-right
Pro-Europeanism
Federalism
1992–1999 Part of the National Accord electoral bloc in 1995 and won one seat in Parliament. It ceased its activities after failing to win reelection in 1999.
Union of Sportsmen of Georgia Centrism 1994–2008 Part of the National Accord electoral bloc in 1995 and won one seat in Parliament. Failed to win reelection in 1999 and ceased its activities after a poor showing in the 2008 parliamentary election. Founded by infamous thief-in-law Otari Kvantrishvili.
Support Center-right 1994–1999 Led by State Minister Otar Patsatsia as a party officially supporting Eduard Shevardnadze, though backing more center-right politics than the Citizens' Union.
Democratic Union of Georgia Center-left 1991–1998 Founded by several former Soviet dissidents, including Avtandil Margiani and Zurab Tsereteli. Part of the ruling coalition in 1992 and won three seats in the 1995 parliamentary election. Ceased its activities following the 1999 parliamentary election.
Lemi Regionalism 1995–1999 Regional party based in Svaneti and chaired by MP Tengiz Gazdeliani, who also served in the ruling coalition since 1992. Gazdeliani was its only elected leader and the party disbanded in 1999.
Bourgeois-Democratic Party Center-right 1992–1996 Founded ahead of the 1992 parliamentary election as the political branch of the civil society organization League of Economic and Social Progress of Georgia and joined the Peace Bloc that endorsed the candidacy of Eduard Shevardnadze, winning two seats in Parliament.
People's Front Center-right
Atlanticism
Protectionism
1989–1999 Formed as one of the largest anti-Soviet organizations by Nodar Natadze. Opposed to the presidencies of Zviad Gamsakhurdia and Eduard Shevardnadze. Won 16 seats in the 1992 parliamentary election as part of the "11 October Bloc". Disappeared following the 1999 election.
Christian-Democratic Union Center-right
Atlanticism
1989–1999 Opposed to the presidency of Zviad Gamsakhurdia. Won 3 seats in the 1992 parliamentary election as part of the opposition "11 October Bloc" but eventually endorsed Eduard Shevardnadze in 1995. Disappeared following the 1999 election.
Union of Social Justice Socialism
Neutrality
1990–1999 Won 2 seats in the 1992 parliamentary election. Disappeared following the 1999 election.
Liberal-Democratic National Party Classical liberalism
Atlanticism
1990–1997 Won 14 seats in the 1992 parliamentary election as part of the Unity Bloc, the only party to win seats from that coalition. Originally in opposition to President Eduard Shevardnadze, it endorsed him in the 1995 presidential election and disappeared shortly thereafter.
Democratic Party Classical liberalism
Pro-Europeanism
1991–1998 Won 10 seats in the 1992 parliamentary election and only one in the 1995 elections. Absorbed by the Socialist Party in 1998.
Charter-91 Georgian nationalism 1991–2019 Formed as one of the leading members of the Round Table ruling coalition that backed Zviad Gamsakhurdia and continued activities as an opposition party during the presidency of Eduard Shevardnadze. Won 9 seats in 1992, but failed to win reelection in 1995. The party then became mostly inactive, until its absorption by the Republican Party in 2019.
Merab Kostava Society Right-wing
Atlanticism
1990–1999 One of Georgia's earlier political parties, originally part of the Round Table – Free Georgia coalition that backed the presidency of Zviad Gamsakhurdia and joined the opposition to President Eduard Shevardnadze. Won 7 seats in the 1992 elections and one seat in 1995. After failing to win any position in 1999, the party ceased all activities.
National Independence Party Georgian nationalism
Anti-communism
1988–2006 One of Georgia's earlier political parties, founded by dissident Irakli Tsereteli and regularly associated with right-wing, monarchist, and conservative parties. While it won seats in the 1990 and 1992 parliamentary elections, its activities were largely discontinued after 1995. Its leader, Irakli Tsereteli, was arrested in 2006 for supporting guerrilla partisans in the Kodori Valley.
Union of Farmers of All Georgia Social democracy
Neutrality
Monarchism
1987–1999 Won two seats in the 1992 parliamentary election. Ceased all activities after 1999.
Helsinki Union of Georgia Georgian nationalism
Anti-communism
State capitalism
Pan-Caucasianism
1976–1993 Oldest political party in post-Soviet Georgia, created as a group of anti-Soviet dissidents by Zviad Gamsakhurdia. Part of the Round Table – Free Georgia electoral alliance that led Georgia to independence in 1991. Lost power as a result of the 1991–1992 coup, after which the party has formally boycotted all electoral activities.

Small, defunct parties

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The defunct following parties have not held nationwide offices but received considerable media coverage.

Logo Name Ideology Years active Leader
The Way of Georgia Social democracy
Social liberalism
2006–2019 Salome Zurabishvili
Development Movement Pro-Europeanism
Centrism
2017–2019 Davit Usupashvili
Party of the Future Classical liberalism 2008–2012 Giorgi Maisashvili
Party of Hope Sovereigntism 2006 Igor Giorgadze
Irina Sarishvili

Democratic Republic of Georgia

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The following parties were active during the 1918–1921 Democratic Republic of Georgia.

Name Ideology Seats in the Constituent Assembly Results in the 1919 election
Social Democratic Labour Party of Georgia Democratic socialism
Left-wing nationalism
Menshevism
109 / 130
409,766 (80.96%)
Georgian Socialist-Federalist Revolutionary Party Federalism
Georgian nationalism
Democratic socialism
8 / 130
33,721 (6.66%)
National Democratic Party Classical liberalism
Georgian nationalism
8 / 130
30,754 (6.08%)
Socialist-Revolutionary Party of Georgia Agrarian socialism
5 / 130
21,453 (4.24%)
Radical-Democratic Party of Georgia Right-wing
0 / 130
3,107 (0.61%)
Armenian Party in Georgia–Dashnaktsitiuni Armenian nationalism
4 / 130
2,353 (0.46%)
Left Socialist-Federalist Party Socialism
0 / 130
1,616 (0.32%)
Georgian National Landowners Party Right-wing
4 / 130
1,532 (0.30%)
Russian Social Democratic Labour Party Democratic socialism
Menshevism
0 / 130
779 (0.15%)
Group of Muslims from Borchalo District Localism
Islamic democracy
0 / 130
77 (0.02%)
National Council of Muslims Islamic democracy
Federalism
0 / 130
60 (0.01%)
Aesthetic League of Patriots Intelligentsia
Social democracy
0 / 130
53 (0.01%)
Shota Rustaveli Group
0 / 130
51 (0.01%)
Democratic Group of Georgian Hellenes Federalism
0 / 130
14 (0.00%)

Banned or deregistered parties

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The following parties are currently banned or deregistered.

Political camps based on foreign policy orientation

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Civilizational and geostrategic orientations play a significant role in Georgian politics. They often determine political groupings and are more important than economic or socio-political agendas for the parties. Main civilizational and geostrategic debate in Georgia revolves around siding with the West or Russia. Based on their foreign policy orientations, Georgian political parties can be divided into several camps:

  • This group of parties supports Euro-Atlanticism and opposes any rapprochement towards Russia. They claim that the West is "civilizational choice" of Georgian people and that Georgia should join the EU and NATO. They view Russia as the biggest, imperialistic threat to Georgia and argue that the only way for Georgia to survive is to join EU and NATO, in other case, they claim that Georgia will be annexed by Russia. They consider that no negotiation with Russia is possible as Russia is imperialistic and its only goal is to subjugate former Soviet Union. Therefore, because of this, they argue that any political position which does not supports uncompromising pro-Western and anti-Russian policy, benefits Russia and is therefore pro-Russian. This group of parties considers all their opponents on foreign policy matters to be pro-Russian, whether they actually support Russia or not.[4]

This group includes following parties: United National Movement, For Georgia, Progress and Freedom, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, Lelo for Georgia, European Georgia, Girchi – More Freedom, Droa, Law and Justice, Republican Party, Citizens, State for the People, National Democratic Party, For the People, Victorious Georgia

  • This group of parties also shares the view that Russia is the greatest threat to Georgia and considers joining EU and NATO as foreign policy priorities. They also claim that the alignment with the West is civilizational choice of Georgian people. However, they argue that the reality of Russia being the large and powerful neighbor of Georgia can not be ignored and Georgia's foreign policy should be shaped based on this reality. Georgia, as other small states, must play sophisticated games with its large and powerful neighbor to survive in such environment. They often appeal to national interests, claiming that maintaining some ties with Russia, such as economic relations, is beneficial to Georgia because of Russia's proximity and economic resources. Therefore, domestic and foreign policies of Georgia in these areas should be shaped by interests rather than ideological notions. They say that Georgia's policy towards Russia should be pragmatic, flexible and cautious. They usually condemn Russia politically, but have relatively soft rhetoric compared to first group of parties – they claim that too radical and uncompromising policy towards Russia can lead to confrontation with Russia, which will have dire consequences for Georgia. These parties oppose imposing visa regime for Russian citizens, ban on Russian tourists visiting Georgia, banning capital flow from Russia etc. – claiming that such actions don't reflect Georgian interests and will harm Georgian economy and Georgian citizens. These parties fully support Georgia's membership into EU and NATO, but maybe sometimes critical of these organizations when they feel that certain policies contradict Georgia's interests.

This group includes following parties: Georgian Dream, People's Power, Girchi, European Socialists, Social Democrats for the Development of Georgia, Greens Party, Democratic Movement – United Georgia,

  • This group of parties, on the other hand, although does not necessarily opposes Georgia's membership in the EU, argues that Georgia should reorient its foreign policy towards building friendly relations with Russia. They claim that the only way Georgia can restore its sovereignty over Abkhazia and South Ossetia is to normalize its relations with Russia. They oppose Georgia's proposed membership in the NATO, saying that it provokes Russia to engage into hostilities with Georgia. This group thinks that successful negotiation with Russia is possible, and often blames the Saakashvili administration for pursuing pro-NATO foreign policy which led to the strained relations with Moscow. They claim that Georgia should be "neutral country", which they think reflects Georgian interests better than pro-NATO foreign orientation. Although this group does not vehemently opposes Georgia's membership in the EU, they do not view it possible in the foreseeable future and oppose certain (mosly liberal) EU policies, which they claim are incompatible with Georgian culture and traditions.

This group includes following parties: Alliance of Patriots, Georgian Troupe, Christian-Democrats, Left-wing alliance, Georgian March, Political Movement of Veterans and Patriots, Industry Will Save Georgia

  • This group of parties supports full alignment with Russia and views the West as a primary threat to the country. They support joining Eurasian Economic Union and Collective Security Treaty Organization and claim that allying with Christian Russia is a civilization choice of Georgian people. They support Russian military presence in Georgia and view the West, which they equate with the liberal ideology, which is anti-Christian, pro-LGBT, pro-immigration and cosmopolitan, as the greatest threat to Georgian culture and national identity. They also are skeptical towards Western involvement in Georgia, claiming that the West uses Georgia only for its own purposes to "encircle" Russia and weaken it by provoking its neighbors to wage war with it.

This group includes following parties: Conservative Movement/Alt-Info, Georgian Idea, Unity of Iberians

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Party Stripped Of Registration For Georgian Parliamentary Elections Amid 'Pro-Russia' Outcry". Radio Freedom. 18 August 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Georgia's Public Registry revokes registration of controversial Conservative Movement". Front News Georgia. 8 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Georgia's Alt Info to run in elections with Alliance of Patriots". OC Media. 11 June 2024.
  4. ^ Silagadze, Givi (2021). Eurosceptic, therefore, Pro-Russian?. Tbilisi, Georgia: Georgian Institute of Politics. Retrieved 15 September 2012.