Nika Melia officially became the Chairman of the largest opposition party of Georgia "United national movement". His candidacy was approved for the post at the 9th party Congress.

He announced the beginning of a new stage in the history of the largest opposition party in Georgia, announcing a number of important initiatives.

"I believe that now a new stage of our history begins, begins here and now, with your direct participation, with the participation of those people who are not even in our people's political Association yet," Melia said after his candidacy was approved. He added that the UNM has not only a lot of experience "gained while in power and in opposition," but also a desire for renewal. The politician is confident that the party, of which he has been a member for almost seven years, "has realized and rethought the essential aspects of its successes and mistakes" and is now ready to take responsibility for creating a "prosperous Western Georgia" again.

Melia promises that from now on, the UNM will become "the party of everyone" and will strive for "more democracy, more openness, more inclusion." Several specific innovations have been proposed for this purpose.

* Support for initiatives

Melia promises that anyone will be able to come to the UNM office "with their idea, work on its development and get support." "The same thing will be done virtually on the platforms we have created," he added.

* Project support

The party promises to help citizens with the implementation of "any interesting project or program" that will promote democracy, socio-political equality, the rule of law and the development of a free economy in the country.

* New concept of party offices

The UNM plans to transform its offices "into citizen support centers" so that they are no longer regarded as "part of the party bureaucracy."

"We are using all available resources to help anyone who needs assistance in solving a problem, will need to understand a specific issue," Melia said.

A new model of donations

According to Melia, the UNM is moving to a " model of public participation with popular funding." He explained that this will allow everyone to become a delegate of the opposition party "through symbolic contributions." Delegates will have the opportunity to "take part in the direct management of the party", voting on various issues and programs.

"We are the party with the biggest things ahead of us, which has not yet written the best pages of its rule. Today, any of you has the opportunity to be a party and its full representative. Every vote, every opinion is important, " he said. Melia considers it her personal task to attract new people. He is sure that in a few months there will be a lot of new faces in the party.

Melia highlighted the role of the founder of the "United national movement", the third President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, calling him "the greatest modern politician in this country" and "the author of the miracle of the rose revolution". He added that it was Saakashvili who came up with the system of electing the Chairman of a political party "with such unprecedented transparency and high involvement."

The UNM Chairman was chosen by online voting from two candidates proposed by the party's political Council. Nika Melia received 64.9% – about 13.5 thousand votes. About 7.3 thousand people voted for his only rival, former Chairman of the government of Adjara Levan Varshalomidze. Voting took place over five days. Everyone could take part in it.

Source newsgeorgia.ge