Political analysts argue about Saakashvili's influence on Georgian opposition

Mikhail Saakashvili, the third president of Georgia, remains the most significant figure of the "United National Movement" (UNM) Party and ensures its funding, Zaal Andjaparidze, a political analyst, has noted. His colleague, Ramaz Sakvarelidze, believes, in his turn, that Saakashvili has ceased to be perceived in Georgia as a Georgian politician.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) had reacted negatively to the appointment of Mikhail Saakashvili as head of the executive committee for reforms of Ukraine.

Ramaz Sakvarelidze, a political analyst at the Club of Independent Experts, has stated that after obtaining the citizenship of Ukraine, Mikhail Saakashvili has lost the status of a Georgian politician. Therefore, Saakashvili's statements and his personality are not taken seriously enough in Georgia, although he himself would like to regain his influence, the expert believes.

Zaal Andjaparidze, the programme coordinator at the International Centre for Conflicts and Negotiation, believes that Saakashvili is retaining his influence on the party he created – the UNM. Without him, the party "means little," because it has no other charismatic and influential leaders.

"Most of the votes cast at the elections for the UNM, in fact, were cast for Saakashvili. Other party figures have no public support. His (Saakashvili's) influence on Georgian political life will be constantly felt," Mr Andjaparidze told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, adding that in his opinion, the UNM preserves its activeness thanks to Saakashvili, who is getting funding for the party.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 12, 2020 at 03:43 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.