UNM to Vote on Leadership Overhaul, Membership Fees at August 5 Congress
By Messenger Staff
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
The United National Movement (UNM) will vote on sweeping internal reforms at its party congress on August 5th, including replacing its chairperson and secretary general with a collective governing council, Political Secretary Giorgi Baramidze said on Monday.
Baramidze said the changes were proposed by jailed former President Mikheil Saakashvili and had been under preparation for months. According to him, the reforms are intended to make the party "more democratic, transparent" and broaden participation in decision making.
The proposed changes also introduce membership fees, which party members would pay as monthly donations. Baramidze said the measure is intended to reduce the party's reliance on wealthy donors and strengthen its financial independence.
He said the party also plans to launch a secure mobile application that would allow members to vote directly on major political decisions, including whether the party should enter parliament.
Baramidze also responded to acting UNM Chair Tina Bokuchava's criticism of a Political Council meeting held last week, which she described as unauthorized.
"I was very surprised by Tina's statement because there was nothing illegitimate at this session. If there was no quorum, the session would not have been held," Baramidze said.
He suggested Bokuchava's criticism could be linked to the proposed leadership changes.
"Tina may have some resentment because, at the congress, we will no longer elect a chairperson in the form in which it exists today, nor a secretary general. We want to have a governing council that will perform these functions," he said.
Baramidze added that minutes from the meeting would be made available to party members and said regional representatives from across the country had attended the session.
