United National Movement
ერთიანი ნაციონალური მოძრაობა |
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Leader | Mikheil Saakashvili (in exile) |
Founded | October 2001 |
Headquarters | Tbilisi |
Ideology |
Liberal conservatism Pro-Europeanism Civic nationalism |
Political position | Centre-right |
European affiliation | European People's Party (observer) |
International affiliation | International Democrat Union |
Colours | Red, White |
Seats in Parliament |
6 / 150
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Website | |
www |
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United National Movement (Georgian: ერთიანი ნაციონალური მოძრაობა, Ertiani Natsionaluri Modzraoba, ENM) was the main center-right party and the largest opposition party in Georgia.
The party dissolved on 12 January 2017, Davit Bakradze, former Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava and their supporters left the party and founded new political party European Georgia after 4 month party conflict, another part of the party members including former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili opposed this group.
UNM was founded in October 2001 by Mikheil Saakashvili. It is a reformist party and favors closer ties with NATO and the European Union, as well as the restoration of Tbilisi's control over the separatist self-proclaimed states of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Originally a center-left party, it has moved its position to center-right since the Rose Revolution, and combines political, economic and cultural liberalism with civic nationalism. Its main political priorities also include improving social services to the poor, the movement's main base of support; fighting corruption and reducing administrative barriers for doing business. Leaders of UNM label themselves as liberal-conservative and in September 2007, the party became an observer member of the center-right European People's Party (EPP).
Saakashvili and other Georgian opposition leaders formed a "United People's Alliance" in November 2003 to bring together the United National Movement, the United Democrats, the Union of National Solidarity and the youth movement "Kmara" in a loose alliance against the government of President Eduard Shevardnadze.