List of political parties in Georgia (country)

This is a list of political parties in the country of Georgia.

Georgia has a multi-party system.

Active parties

Major parties

Parties with parliamentary representation

The following parties have representation in the Parliament of Georgia.
 Votes in 2020
Year proportional Seats in
Official logo Name Ideology Leader Note
founded parliamentary Parliament
polls

Founded by
Bidzina
Ivanishvili to
challenge
Mikheil
Saakashvili's
rule in the
2012
parliamentary
election; has
been the ruling
party in
Georgia since
then. The party
supports more
centre-left
economic
approach
compared to
Social democracy
928,004 74 / 150 Irakli the United
Georgian Dream Social conservatism 2012
(48.22%) Kobakhidze National
Syncretism
Movement
while
maintaining a
liberal
economic
model,
balanced
foreign policy,
and less
repressive
criminal policy
compared to
UNM. Over the
years, the
party's socially
conservative
positions
became more
pronounced.

Founded in
2001 by
Mikheil
Saakashvili as
a vehicle for
opposition
politicians to
unite and
challenge
then-president
Eduard
Shevardnadze.
The 2003
Rose
Revolution
brought party
Ran in coalition to the power
United National Euro-Atlanticism as part of 15 / 150 Levan until its defeat
2001
Movement Economic liberalism Strength is in Khabeishvili in the 2012
Civic nationalism Unity Bloc. election. Since
then, the UNM
is the main
opposition
party. The
party supports
"tough-on-
crime" policy,
and strongly
opposes any
rapprochement
towards
Russia.
Saakashvili is
a central figure
in the party to
this day.
 Formed by a
group of MPs
who split from
Georgian
Dream and
accused the
EU and USA of
trying to
pressure and
overthrow the
Georgian
government.
Its ideology
revolves
around
"protecting
Georgia's
sovereignty"
from foreign
forces and
limiting foreign
influence. The
Then part of 9 / 150 Sozar group
People's Power Sovereigntism 2022 proposed a
Georgian Dream. Subari
law similar to
FARA, which
was met by
protests and
eventually
rejected.
After initially
only being
active as a
political
movement,
People's
Power was
registered as a
party in March
2024. It
remains a part
of the
parliamentary
majority
together with
GD.

Formed by
former
Georgian
Dream Prime
Minister Giorgi
Gakharia, who
resigned and
left GD in
Reformism Then part of 5 / 150 Giorgi 2021. The
For Georgia 2021
Pro-Europeanism Georgian Dream. Gakharia party has been
critical of both
the GD
government
and the
opposition
United
National
Movement.

A right-
libertarian
party that split
from UNM,
known for its
4 / 150 Iago strong support
Girchi Right-libertarianism 2016 55,598 (2.89%)
Khvichia for legalization
of cannabis in
Georgia and
free market
economic
policy.
European Social democracy 2020 Then part of 4 / 150 Fridon Injia A group of
Socialists Social conservatism Alliance of businessmen
Patriots of that broke from
Georgia. the Alliance of
Patriots to
 establish their
own political
grouping in
parliament. A
party has
social
democratic
and
conservative
views.

Founded by
businessman
Kakha
Okriashvili,
Ran in coalition Tsezar
who was
Progress and as part of 3 / 150 Chocheli
Euro-Atlanticism 2020 previously
Freedom Strength is in Kakhaber
associated
Unity Bloc. Okriashvili
with the GD
but currently is
partner of
UNM.
Founded by
Paata
Burchuladze
as an attempt
to bring new
faces to
politics,
generally
considered to
be
Ran in coalition
unsuccessful
State for the Christian as part of 3 / 150 Nato
2016 project. The
People democracy Strength is in Chkheidze
party was
Unity Bloc.
rebranded
since then and
currently is in
coalition with
other
opposition
parties to
remove GD
from
government.

Founded by
Centrism 2 / 150 Mamuka banker
Lelo for Georgia 2019 60,712 (3.15%)
Pro-Europeanism Khazaradze Mamuka
Khazaradze.

Founded by
former UNM
government
Ran in coalition official Giorgi
Strategy 2 / 150 Giorgi
2016 with Law and Vashadze as a
Aghmashenebeli Euro-Atlanticism Vashadze
Justice. new beginning
for Vashadze's
political
ambitions.
Founded by
activist Aleko
Populism 2 / 150 Aleko
Citizens 2020 25,508 (1.33%) Elisashvili,
Euro-Atlanticism Elisashvili
described as
populist.

Oldest active
Georgian
Ran in coalition political party,
Republican as part of 1 / 150 Khatuna founded on
Classical liberalism 1978
Party Strength is in Samnidze liberal
Unity Bloc. principles
during the late
Soviet period.

Founded by
Ran in coalition
1 / 150 Tako former UNM
Law and Justice Euro-Atlanticism 2019 with Strategy
Charkviani politician Tako
Aghmashenebeli.
Charkviani
National Conservatism 1988 421 (0.02%) 1 / 150 Bachuki One of the
Democratic Kardava oldest
Party Georgian
parties,
 actively
involved in
national
movement of
the late Soviet
period,
seeking to
secure
Georgia's
independence
from the Soviet
Union. The
party's then-
nationalistic
and theocratic
views have
been replaced
by more
christian
democratic
positions.

Founded by
former UNM
defence
minister Irakli
Okruashvili,
who supported
a military
solution to the
Ossetia
conflict. The
Ran in coalition party strongly
Victorious as part of 1 / 150 Irakli opposes
2019
Georgia Militarism Strength is in Okruashvili Russian
Unity Bloc. migration to
Georgia during
the Russian
invasion of
Ukraine, with
the party's
leader even
suggesting a
violent action
to curb
immigration.

The following parties won seats in the 10th Parliament of Georgia but have since then resigned them.
 Votes in the
Year 2020
Logo Name Ideology Leader Note
founded parliamentary
polls

European
Classical Founded by former UNM politicians,
Georgia – Giga
liberalism 2017 72,986 (3.79%) considered to be more liberal counterpart
Movement Bokeria
Atlanticism of the UNM
for Liberty

A national-conservative party which is

sceptical of Georgia's attempts to join the
EU and NATO. The party supports more
balanced foreign policy with Russia. It
Alliance of National
Irma strongly opposes UNM and proposed to
Patriots of conservatism 2012 60,480 (3.14%)
Inashvili ban it on the ground that it ran "criminal
Georgia Sovereigntism
regime in Georgia during 2003–2012",
namely appealing to documented torture in
prisons during the UNM's years. UNM has
described APG as "GD's satellite".
Georgian Left-wing
Shalva Founded by Shalva Natelashvili, one of
Labour populism 1995 19,314 (1.00%)
Natelashvili the oldest but also minor parties
Party Atlanticism

Girchi – Right- Zurab A right-libertarian party founded by Zura

Then a part of
More libertarianism 2020 Girchi Japaridze after leaving New Political
Girchi.
Freedom Atlanticism Japaridze Center – Girchi.

Social Then a part of

Elene A socially liberal party founded by former
Droa liberalism 2021 European
Khoshtaria UNM minister Elene Khoshtaria.
Atlanticism Georgia.
Regionalism Then a part of A party founded by Muslim Georgian MP
Regions for Tariel
Liberalism 2023 European Tariel Nakaidze, aimed at promoting the
Georgia Nakaidze
Atlanticism Georgia political rights of ethnic minorities.

A split from the United National Movement,

Social Nika founded by its former chairman Nika Melia
Then a part of
Ahali liberalism 2024 Gvaramia after the latter lost his reelection for the
UNM
Atlanticism Nika Melia chairmanship of the party, along with Nika
Gvaramia.

Parties with local representation

The following parties have no nationwide representation but have elected officials at the local level.

Year Seats
Logo Name Ideology Leader Note
founded held in

Progressivism A centre-left party founded by former government

For the Tbilisi, Anna
Pro- 2021 official Anna Dolidze, not associated previously
People Kazbegi Dolidze
Europeanism with any other party.

Free Kakha Founded by former Conservative Party member

Conservatism 2010 Lentekhi
Georgia Kukava Kakha Kukava.

Small parties
The following parties have no elected official but took part in the 2021 local elections.
 Name Ideology Year founded Leader

Reformism
Mamuli 1993 Teimuraz Bobokhidze
Centrism

Populism
Nation Atlanticism 1989 Mirian Mirianashvili
Centralism
Alliance of Democrats Localism 2021 Giorgi Buchukuri

Pro-Europeanism
SAKHE + 2020 Ednar Bagrationi
Civic nationalism

Pro-Europeanism
Free Choice – New Alternative 2018 Giorgi Pataridze
Socialism
Christian democracy
Left-Wing Alliance 2013 Ioseb Shatberashvili
Social democracy

Tribuna Left-wing populism 2020 Davit Chichinadze

Our United Georgia Reformism 2021 Isaki Giorgadze

Third Way Socialism 2021 Giorgi Tumanishvili

Pro-Europeanism
European Democrats Abkhaz conflict resolution 2005 Paata Davitaia
Social democracy

Reformism
Georgian nationalism
Sakartvelo 2016 Giorgi Liluashvili
Euroscepticism
Caucasian federalism
Conservatism
Snap Elections – United Georgia – Democratic Movement 2008 Nino Burjanadze
Euroscepticism

Future Georgia Socialism 2008 Giorgi Laghidze

Social Justice Social democracy 2020 Mamuka Tuskadze

Greens Party Green conservatism 1989 Gia Gachechiladze

Sovereigntism
Tamaz Mechiauri for United Georgia Localism 2016 Vacant
Right-wing populism
Reformers Conservatism 2014 Davit Mirotadze

Right-wing populism
Whites Sovereigntism 2012 Teimuraz Shashiashvili
Christian democracy

New Christian-Democrats Christian democracy 2021 Gogi Tsulaia

Reformism
Direct democracy
Reformer 2020 Tornike Janashvili
Pro-Europeanism
Liberalism

Georgian nationalism
National conservatism
Tavisupleba – Zviad Gamsakhurdias Gza 2004 Malkhazi Gorgasalidze
Christian democracy
State capitalism

Georgian Troupe Left-wing nationalism 2007 Jondi Baghaturia

Socialist Workers' Party Communism 1999 Tamaz Japoshvili

People's Party Conservatism 2006 Alexandre Kobaidze

Georgian Social-Democratic Party Social democracy 1989 Avtandil Veltauri

The following parties registered but failed ballot access in the 2021 local elections.
 Name Ideology Year founded Leader

XX Century Christian communism 2021 Grigol Oniani

Georgian nationalism
Party of Georgian Unity 1990 Giorgi Chincharauli
Localism
Classical liberalism
Free Democrats 2009 Tamar Kekenadze
Europeanism

Green Earth Eco-socialism 2020 Nugzar Meladze

Judicial independence
For Justice 2019 Eka Beselia
Pro-Europeanism
Georgia's Euro-Atlantic Way Atlanticism 2020 Shorena Gardapkhadze

The following parties have no elected official but took part in the 2020 parliamentary election.

Year 2020
Name Ideology Leader
founded results
Theocratic 1,563
Zviad's Way (For God, Justice, and Country) 1990 Vacant
authoritarianism (0.08%)

4,413
Social-Democrats for Georgia's Development Social democracy 2010 Gia Zhorzholiani
(0.23%)

1,458
New Power Far-right 2020 Lazare Zakariadze
(0.08%)
Georgian nationalism Tengiz 1,914
Georgian Roots 2020
Diaspora repatriation Okropilashvili (0.1%)

Political Movement of Veterans of the Armed Forces and Militarism 3,245

2007 Gia Berdzenidze
Patriots of Georgia Atlanticism (0.17%)

Economic populism 1,292

Change Georgia 2020 Giorgi Gagnidze
Liberalism (0.07%)
National conservatism 3,124
Conservative Party 2001 Zviad Dzidziguri
Monarchism (0.16%)

Localism
Patriotic Order – Homeland 2001 Grigoli Sokhadze 583 (0.03%)
Sovereigntism
Choice for Homeland Social democracy 2020 Lela Guledani 536 (0.03%)

4,850
National Democratic Movement State capitalism 2014 Davit Shukakidze
(0.25%)

Movement for a Free Georgia Atlanticism 2018 Khatuna Koiava 739 (0.04%)
Sovereigntism 2,165
Georgian Choice 2020 Bezhan Gunava
Social democracy (0.11%)

Social democracy 8,335

Our Georgia – Solidarity Alliance 2020 Mariam Jashi
Pro-Europeanism (0.43%)

Monarchism 8,263
Georgian Idea 2014 Levan Chachua
Hard Euroscepticism (0.43%)
National conservativism 4,753
Georgian March 2017 Sandro Bregadze
Sovereigntism (0.25%)

Irakli
Progressive Georgia Progressivism 2020 980 (0.05%)
Murtskhvaladze

Atlanticism
Euro-Atlantic Vector 2011 Sergo Javakhidze 424 (0.02%)
Reformism
Christian-Democratic People's Movement Christian democracy 2020 Ani Rekhviashvili 334 (0.02%)

Ketevan 1,549
Georgia's Development State capitalism 2020
Gogoladze (0.08%)

Georgian nationalism
Traditionalists Conservatism 1989 Akaki Asatiani 479 (0.02%)
Monarchism
Economic nationalism
1,048
Industry Will Save Georgia Protectionism 1999 Gogi Topadze
(0.05%)
Euroscepticism

The following parties registered but failed ballot access in the 2020 parliamentary election.
 Name Ideology Year founded Leader

Centrism
Political League of Georgian Highlanders State capitalism 1988 Gela Pitskhelauri
Isolationism

Center-left
Party of Georgian National Unity 1988 Giorgi Chincharauli
Isolationism
Socialism
Voice of Mother, Voice of Nation 2009 Nina Kvesadze
Conservatism

New 2016 Giorgi Lemonjava

Georgian nationalism
National-Christian Party for Georgia 1999 Davit Khomasuridze
Far-right
Consolidation Party of Georgian Citizens 1998 Erekle Ivelashvili

Friendship Union, Independence and Prosperity 1998 Shota Mebuke

Conservatism
Georgian Conservative Monarchist Party Monarchism 1989 Temur Zhorzholiani
Atlanticism
Christian democracy
Christian-Conservative Party 1997 Shota Malashkhia
Conservatism

Party of Georgian Unity and Development Authoritarianism 2020 Kamal Muradkhanov

Union for Protection of the Georgian Pensioners' Right Socialism 1997 Irakli Natsvlishvili
Georgian nationalism
Unity of Iberians Socialism 2019 Giorgi Tsiptauri
Pro-Russianism

Georgian nationalism
Unity of Georgian Nationalists 1991 Gaioz Mamaladze
Conservatism

The following parties have not taken part in the last two election cycles but maintain an active organization.

Logo Name Ideology Year founded Leader

Greens Party Green conservatism 1989 Giorgi Gachechiladze

Georgian nationalism
Rustavel's Path 2023 Akia Barbakadze
Atlanticism

Green
Greens 2022 Tamar Jakeli
Feminism

Federalism
Ilia Chavchavadze Society 1987 Tamar Chkheidze
Georgian nationalism

Marxism–Leninism
Unified Communist Party of Georgia 1994 Nugzar Avaliani
Soviet patriotism

Historical parties

Held national offices

The following parties held at least one legislative seat since 1990, but have ceased to exist.
 Years
Logo Party Ideology Note
active

Georgian
nationalism An alliance of Georgian political parties led by Zviad Gamsakhurdia. It
Round Table— 1990–
Sovereignism played a decisive role in the restoration of independence of Georgia
Free Georgia 1994
Pan- and was a governing coalition in 1990–1992.
Caucasianism

Isolationism
Radical political party led by Kakha Shartava and in the opposition in
Parliamentarism 2006–
National Forum 2006–2012. Part of the ruling coalition in 2012–2016. Absorbed by the
Classical 2017
Development Movement in 2017.
radicalism
One of the largest opposition parties, formed in 2001 as the New
Liberal
Conservative Party by uniting the New Faction, New Movement, and
conservatism 2001–
New Rights Neo-Conservative Union. A member of several opposition blocks,
Classical 2019
including the 2004 Right Opposition, the 2008 United Opposition, and
radicalism
the 2018 Strength is in Unity. Absorbed by Lelo for Georgia in 2019.

Christian
Christian- Opposition party with seats in the 2008–2012 Parliament. Party has
democracy 2008–
Democratic never been disbanded but it has not had any activity since the 2018
Social 2018
Movement presidential election.
conservatism

Originally known as the Adjaran Union for the Rebirth of Georgia, one
Democratic Union Regionalism 1991– of the largest opposition parties in the 1990s. Held control of the
for Revival Socialism 2004 Adjarian Autonomous Republic and led by Aslan Abashidze. Party
disbanded when the latter fled Georgia in 2004.

Created during the 2003 parliamentary election to back Eduard

Social 2003– Shevardnadze after the collapse of the Citizens' Union. The party
For a New Georgia
democracy 2008 ceased to function after the Rose Revolution but kept 19 MPs until
2008.

Social Ruling party from 1993 to 2003. Led by President Eduard

Union of Citizens 1993–
democracy Shevardnadze. Abolished in 2003 ahead of the parliamentary election
of Georgia 2003
Conservatism and replaced by For a New Georgia.

Formed as an opposition party and integrated into an alliance with the

1995–
Socialist Party Socialism Democratic Union for Revival during the 1999 parliamentary election.
2003
Stopped functioning following the Rose Revolution.
Konstantine Socialism Formed as an opposition party and integrated into an alliance with the
1992–
Gamsakhurdia Social Democratic Union for Revival during the 1999 parliamentary election.
2003
Society conservatism Stopped functioning following the Rose Revolution.

Georgian Formed as an opposition party and integrated into an alliance with the
1992–
Freedom and Conservatism Democratic Union for Revival during the 1999 parliamentary election.
2003
Unity Movement Stopped functioning following the Rose Revolution.

Center-right
Union of
Pro- 1992– Part of the National Accord electoral bloc in 1995 and won one seat in
Reformers and
Europeanism 1999 Parliament. It ceased its activities after failing to win reelection in 1999.
Agrarians
Federalism
Part of the National Accord electoral bloc in 1995 and won one seat in
Union of
1994– Parliament. Failed to win reelection in 1999 and ceased its activities
Sportsmen of Centrism
2008 after a poor showing in the 2008 parliamentary election. Founded by
Georgia
infamous thief-in-law Otari Kvantrishvili.

Led by State Minister Otar Patsatsia as a party officially supporting

1994–
Support Center-right Eduard Shevardnadze, though backing more center-right politics than
1999
the Citizens' Union.

Founded by several former Soviet dissidents, including Avtandil

Democratic Union 1991– Margiani and Zurab Tsereteli. Part of the ruling coalition in 1992 and
Center-left
of Georgia 1998 won three seats in the 1995 parliamentary election. Ceased its
activities following the 1999 parliamentary election.
Regional party based in Svaneti and chaired by MP Tengiz Gazdeliani,
1995–
Lemi Regionalism who also served in the ruling coalition since 1992. Gazdeliani was its
1999
only elected leader and the party disbanded in 1999.

Founded ahead of the 1992 parliamentary election as the political

Bourgeois- 1992– branch of the civil society organization League of Economic and Social
Center-right
Democratic Party 1996 Progress of Georgia and joined the Peace Bloc that endorsed the
candidacy of Eduard Shevardnadze, winning two seats in Parliament.
Formed as one of the largest anti-Soviet organizations by Nodar
Center-right Natadze. Opposed to the presidencies of Zviad Gamsakhurdia and
1989–
People's Front Atlanticism Eduard Shevardnadze. Won 16 seats in the 1992 parliamentary
1999
Protectionism election as part of the "11 October Bloc". Disappeared following the
1999 election.

Christian- Center-right 1989– Opposed to the presidency of Zviad Gamsakhurdia. Won 3 seats in the
Democratic Union Atlanticism 1999 1992 parliamentary election as part of the opposition "11 October Bloc"
 but eventually endorsed Eduard Shevardnadze in 1995. Disappeared
following the 1999 election.

Union of Social Socialism 1990– Won 2 seats in the 1992 parliamentary election. Disappeared following
Justice Neutrality 1999 the 1999 election.
Won 14 seats in the 1992 parliamentary election as part of the Unity
Liberal- Classical
1990– Bloc, the only party to win seats from that coalition. Originally in
Democratic liberalism
1997 opposition to President Eduard Shevardnadze, it endorsed him in the
National Party Atlanticism
1995 presidential election and disappeared shortly thereafter.

Classical
liberalism 1991– Won 10 seats in the 1992 parliamentary election and only one in the
Democratic Party
Pro- 1998 1995 elections. Absorbed by the Socialist Party in 1998.
Europeanism

Formed as one of the leading members of the Round Table ruling

coalition that backed Zviad Gamsakhurdia and continued activities as
Georgian 1991– an opposition party during the presidency of Eduard Shevardnadze.
Charter-91
nationalism 2019 Won 9 seats in 1992, but failed to win reelection in 1995. The party
then became mostly inactive, until its absorption by the Republican
Party in 2019.
One of Georgia's earlier political parties, originally part of the Round
Table – Free Georgia coalition that backed the presidency of Zviad
Merab Kostava Right-wing 1990– Gamsakhurdia and joined the opposition to President Eduard
Society Atlanticism 1999 Shevardnadze. Won 7 seats in the 1992 elections and one seat in
1995. After failing to win any position in 1999, the party ceased all
activities.

One of Georgia's earlier political parties, founded by dissident Irakli

Tsereteli and regularly associated with right-wing, monarchist, and
National Georgian
1988– conservative parties. While it won seats in the 1990 and 1992
Independence nationalism
2006 parliamentary elections, its activities were largely discontinued after
Party Anti-communism
1995. Its leader, Irakli Tsereteli, was arrested in 2006 for supporting
guerrilla partisans in the Kodori Valley.

Social
Union of Farmers democracy 1987– Won two seats in the 1992 parliamentary election. Ceased all activities
of All Georgia Neutrality 1999 after 1999.
Monarchism
Georgian
Oldest political party in post-Soviet Georgia, created as a group of anti-
nationalism
Soviet dissidents by Zviad Gamsakhurdia. Part of the Round Table –
Helsinki Union of Anti-communism 1976–
Free Georgia electoral alliance that led Georgia to independence in
Georgia State capitalism 1993
1991. Lost power as a result of the 1991–1992 coup, after which the
Pan-
party has formally boycotted all electoral activities.
Caucasianism

Small, defunct parties

The defunct following parties have not held nationwide offices but received considerable media coverage.

Logo Name Ideology Years active Leader

Social democracy
The Way of Georgia 2006–2019 Salome Zurabishvili
Social liberalism

Pro-Europeanism
Development Movement 2017–2019 Davit Usupashvili
Centrism

Party of the Future Classical liberalism 2008–2012 Giorgi Maisashvili

Igor Giorgadze
Party of Hope Sovereigntism 2006
Irina Sarishvili

Democratic Republic of Georgia

The following parties were active during the 1918–1921 Democratic Republic of Georgia.
 Seats in the Constituent Results in the 1919
Name Ideology
Assembly election

Democratic
socialism
109 / 130
Social Democratic Labour Party of Georgia Left-wing 409,766 (80.96%)
nationalism
Menshevism

Federalism
Georgian
Georgian Socialist-Federalist Revolutionary 8 / 130
nationalism 33,721 (6.66%)
Party
Democratic
socialism
Classical liberalism
8 / 130
National Democratic Party Georgian 30,754 (6.08%)
nationalism

5 / 130
Socialist-Revolutionary Party of Georgia Agrarian socialism 21,453 (4.24%)

0 / 130
Radical-Democratic Party of Georgia Right-wing 3,107 (0.61%)

Armenian 4 / 130
Armenian Party in Georgia–Dashnaktsitiuni 2,353 (0.46%)
nationalism

0 / 130
Left Socialist-Federalist Party Socialism 1,616 (0.32%)

4 / 130
Georgian National Landowners Party Right-wing 1,532 (0.30%)

Democratic
0 / 130
Russian Social Democratic Labour Party socialism 779 (0.15%)
Menshevism

Localism 0 / 130
Group of Muslims from Borchalo District 77 (0.02%)
Islamic democracy

Islamic democracy 0 / 130

National Council of Muslims 60 (0.01%)
Federalism

Intelligentsia 0 / 130
Aesthetic League of Patriots 53 (0.01%)
Social democracy
0 / 130
Shota Rustaveli Group 51 (0.01%)

0 / 130
Democratic Group of Georgian Hellenes Federalism 14 (0.00%)

Banned or deregistered parties

The following parties are currently banned or deregistered.

Communist Party of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia – banned in 1991.

Centrists Party – in 2016.[1]
Conservative Movement – in 2024.[2]
Georgian Idea – in 2024.[3]

Political camps based on foreign policy orientation

Civilizational and geostrategic orientations play a significant role in Georgian politics. They often determine political groupings and
are more important than economic or socio-political agendas for the parties. Main civilizational and geostrategic debate in Georgia
revolves around siding with the West or Russia. Based on their foreign policy orientations, Georgian political parties can be divided
into several camps:

This group of parties supports Euro-Atlanticism and opposes any rapprochement towards Russia. They claim that the
West is "civilizational choice" of Georgian people and that Georgia should join the EU and NATO. They view Russia as
the biggest, imperialistic threat to Georgia and argue that the only way for Georgia to survive is to join EU and NATO, in
other case, they claim that Georgia will be annexed by Russia. They consider that no negotiation with Russia is
possible as Russia is imperialistic and its only goal is to subjugate former Soviet Union. Therefore, because of this,
they argue that any political position which does not supports uncompromising pro-Western and anti-Russian policy,
benefits Russia and is therefore pro-Russian. This group of parties considers all their opponents on foreign policy
matters to be pro-Russian, whether they actually support Russia or not.[4]
This group includes following parties: United National Movement, For Georgia, Progress and Freedom, Strategy Aghmashenebeli,
Lelo for Georgia, European Georgia, Girchi – More Freedom, Droa, Law and Justice, Republican Party, Citizens, State for the People,
National Democratic Party, For the People, Victorious Georgia

This group of parties also shares the view that Russia is the greatest threat to Georgia and considers joining EU and
NATO as foreign policy priorities. They also claim that the alignment with the West is civilizational choice of Georgian
people. However, they argue that the reality of Russia being the large and powerful neighbor of Georgia can not be
ignored and Georgia's foreign policy should be shaped based on this reality. Georgia, as other small states, must play
sophisticated games with its large and powerful neighbor to survive in such environment. They often appeal to national
interests, claiming that maintaining some ties with Russia, such as economic relations, is beneficial to Georgia because
of Russia's proximity and economic resources. Therefore, domestic and foreign policies of Georgia in these areas
should be shaped by interests rather than ideological notions. They say that Georgia's policy towards Russia should be
pragmatic, flexible and cautious. They usually condemn Russia politically, but have relatively soft rhetoric compared to
first group of parties – they claim that too radical and uncompromising policy towards Russia can lead to confrontation
with Russia, which will have dire consequences for Georgia. These parties oppose imposing visa regime for Russian
citizens, ban on Russian tourists visiting Georgia, banning capital flow from Russia etc. – claiming that such actions
don't reflect Georgian interests and will harm Georgian economy and Georgian citizens. These parties fully support
Georgia's membership into EU and NATO, but maybe sometimes critical of these organizations when they feel that
certain policies contradict Georgia's interests.
This group includes following parties: Georgian Dream, People's Power, Girchi, European Socialists, Social Democrats for the
Development of Georgia, Greens Party, Democratic Movement – United Georgia,

This group of parties, on the other hand, although does not necessarily opposes Georgia's membership in the EU,
argues that Georgia should reorient its foreign policy towards building friendly relations with Russia. They claim that the
only way Georgia can restore its sovereignty over Abkhazia and South Ossetia is to normalize its relations with Russia.
They oppose Georgia's proposed membership in the NATO, saying that it provokes Russia to engage into hostilities
with Georgia. This group thinks that successful negotiation with Russia is possible, and often blames the Saakashvili
administration for pursuing pro-NATO foreign policy which led to the strained relations with Moscow. They claim that
Georgia should be "neutral country", which they think reflects Georgian interests better than pro-NATO foreign
orientation. Although this group does not vehemently opposes Georgia's membership in the EU, they do not view it
possible in the foreseeable future and oppose certain (mosly liberal) EU policies, which they claim are incompatible
with Georgian culture and traditions.
This group includes following parties: Alliance of Patriots, Georgian Troupe, Christian-Democrats, Left-wing alliance, Georgian
March, Political Movement of Veterans and Patriots, Industry Will Save Georgia

This group of parties supports full alignment with Russia and views the West as a primary threat to the country. They
support joining Eurasian Economic Union and Collective Security Treaty Organization and claim that allying with
Christian Russia is a civilization choice of Georgian people. They support Russian military presence in Georgia and
view the West, which they equate with the liberal ideology, which is anti-Christian, pro-LGBT, pro-immigration and
cosmopolitan, as the greatest threat to Georgian culture and national identity. They also are skeptical towards Western
involvement in Georgia, claiming that the West uses Georgia only for its own purposes to "encircle" Russia and
weaken it by provoking its neighbors to wage war with it.
This group includes following parties: Conservative Movement/Alt-Info, Georgian Idea, Unity of Iberians

See also
List of political parties in Abkhazia
List of political parties in South Ossetia
Lists of political parties

References
1. "Party Stripped Of Registration For Georgian Parliamentary Elections Amid 'Pro-Russia' Outcry" ([Link]
a/caucasus-report-georgia-party-out-of-elections-after-pro-russia-ad/[Link]). Radio Freedom. 18 August 2016.
Retrieved 11 September 2022.
2. "Georgia's Public Registry revokes registration of controversial Conservative Movement" ([Link]
details/54807). Front News Georgia. 8 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
3. "Georgia's Alt Info to run in elections with Alliance of Patriots" ([Link]
with-alliance-of-patriots/). OC Media. 11 June 2024.
4. Silagadze, Givi (2021). Eurosceptic, therefore, Pro-Russian? ([Link]
ussian/). Tbilisi, Georgia: Georgian Institute of Politics. Retrieved 15 September 2012.

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