United National Movement
United National Movement ერთიანი ნაციონალური მოძრაობა | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | UNM |
| Chairman | Tinatin Bokuchava |
| Honorary Chairman | Mikheil Saakashvili |
| Leader of Women's Wing | Tinatin Bokuchava |
| Political Secretary | Petre Tsiskarishvili |
| Founder | |
| Founded | October 2001 |
| Split from | Union of Citizens |
| Headquarters | Tbilisi |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Centre to centre-right |
| National affiliation |
|
| European affiliation | European People's Party (affiliate) |
| International affiliation | International Democracy Union |
| Colors | Red and White Maroon (customary) |
| Seats In Parliament | 0 / 150 |
| Municipal Councilors | 0 / 2,058 |
| Seats In Supreme Council of Adjara | 0 / 21 |
| Website | |
| unm | |
The United National Movement (UNM; Georgian: ერთიანი ნაციონალური მოძრაობა, romanized: ertiani natsionaluri modzraoba), is a liberal-conservative political party in Georgia. Tina Bokuchava serves as the party's chairman, while its honorary chairman Mikheil Saakashvili is considered the de facto leader. The UNM's electoral number is 5.
The UNM was founded by Saakashvili in 2001, in opposition to Eduard Shevardnadze's government, rising to power following the Rose Revolution in 2003. During its nine-year rule, the UNM implemented several major reforms. The government focused on rooting out corruption and crime, establishing a free market economy, pursuing a pro-Western foreign policy, and regaining territorial integrity. The latter two put it in direct conflict with Russia exploding into a full-on war in 2008 that resulted in 20% of Georgia's territory being occupied by Russia to this day.
During its second term, accusations mounted over the UNM's alleged authoritarian tendencies with its detractors highlighting poor prison conditions, violent protest dispersals, and media and business intimidation as issues. This culminated in the Gldani prison scandal with several videos being released showing prison guards torturing, taunting, and sexually assaulting detainees. The UNM subsequently lost the 2012 parliamentary election to Georgian Dream. It has since served as the main opposition party frequently criticizing the government for what it sees as its pro-Russia policies.
Since 2025, the party has been undergoing a trial in the Constitutional Court of Georgia, which could possibly lead to outlawing of the party. The party supports Georgia's accession process to the European Union and NATO.