Coalition for Change (Georgian: კოალიცია ცვლილებისთვის, romanized: k'oalitsia tsvlilebistvis) (sometimes stylized as Coalition 4 Change) is an informal political coalition of pro-Western liberal political parties in Georgia.[1] The coalition includes Ahali, Girchi – More Freedom, Droa, and Republican parties and Activists for the Future movement.[6] It was created prior to the 2024 parliamentary election, in which it received 11.03% and finished on second place.[7]
Coalition for Change კოალიცია ცვლილებისთვის | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | CfC |
| Leaders | Nika Gvaramia Nika Melia Zurab Japaridze Elene Khoshtaria |
| Founded | 9 July 2024 |
| Headquarters | Tbilisi, Georgia |
| Ideology | Liberalism[1] Pro-Europeanism[4] Factions: Libertarianism[3] Progressivism[3] |
| Political position | Centre to centre-right[2] |
| Constituent parties | Ahali Girchi - More Freedom Droa Supported by: Republican Party of Georgia |
| Colors | Green Orange |
| Slogan | მომავალი შენია! ('The future is yours!')[5] |
| Seats in Parliament | 19 / 150
|
| Municipal Councilors | 58 / 2,068
|
History
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On 9 July 2024, Ahali, Girchi – More Freedom, and Droa announced the formation of an electoral coalition with the latter two parties already being in an alliance with each other since 2023. Lelo for Georgia was expected to join as well, however, it pulled out at the last second with the parties citing minor differences.[8] Lelo went on to form a coalition of its own by the name of Strong Georgia.[9]
The aim of the alliance was for the parties to run on the same electoral list for the upcoming 2024 parliamentary election. Since formal electoral blocs were banned the coalition decided to run its candidates on the party list of Ahali. Ahali was subsequently renamed to Coalition for Change.[10] On 18 August, the coalition expanded with the Republican Party and Activists for the Future movement joining it.[6]
The parties in the coalition are signatories to the Georgian Charter initiated by the president Salome Zourabichvili with the aim of uniting the pro-Western opposition parties and setting out goals for a possible future government.[11] The party leaders additionally signed a declaration prohibiting any cooperation with the Georgian Dream party, with Melia stating that the candidates on the coalition's list would not be accepted unless they sign the declaration as well.[12]
On 25 September 2024, Nika Gvaramia announced he would not be on the coalition’s candidate list, pledging to make space for new people. The following day, it was revealed that the top spot on the CfC's electoral list would be held by Nana Malashkhia, known as the "Woman with the EU Flag," a symbol of the March protests.[13][14][15][16]
In the parliamentary election, the coalition received 11% and finished on second place. It was granted 19 seats in the Georgian parliament.[17]
Ideology
editCoalition for Change is described as being an alliance of pro-Western liberal parties.[1] It is placed on the centre to centre-right of the political spectrum.[2] The alliance has been further noted as being a unity of pro-European, progressive, and libertarian political ideologies.[2][3] The coalition's main goal has been described as implementing the Georgian Charter. The parties also prioritize developing the economy, strengthening regional autonomy, and reforming education.[18]
Electoral performance
editParliamentary election
edit| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Nika Melia Nika Gvaramia Zurab Japaridze Elene Khoshtaria |
229,152 | 11.03 | 19 / 150
|
New | 2nd | Opposition |
References
edit- ^ a b c "Georgian Dream names opposition parties they intend to ban". OC Media. 23 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d Ross Gower (10 September 2024). "Georgian 2024 Election- A Pivotal Moment for NATO and EU Membership". Center for International Strategic Analyses (KEDISA).
The centre to centre-right pro-EU 'Coalition for Change' is expected to win 9-10%
- ^ a b c d Sergi Kapanadze (4 September 2024). "A Boat Race to Watch: Georgian Elections 2024". Politics GEO.
- ^ [2][3]
- ^ "მომავალი შენია! | "კოალიცია ცვლილებისთვის" პირველი ყრილობა". Mtavari Arkhi (in Georgian). 1 October 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Republican Party, Activists for Future join Coalition for Change". 1TV. 18 August 2024.
- ^ "Among the 5 parties that passed the threshold, 148 mandates were distributed with the so-called real votes, and 2 undistributed mandates were shared by "Georgian Dream" with the best result and Gvaramia-Melia coalition". Interpressnews. 29 October 2024.
- ^ "Ahali, Girchi-More Freedom and Droa Unite Ahead of Polls". Civil Georgia. 9 July 2024.
- ^ "კოალიცია "ძლიერმა საქართველომ" საარჩევნო კამპანიის დაწყებასთან დაკავშირებით ღონისძიება გამართა". 1TV. 1 August 2024.
- ^ "Name change for 'Akhali' party: "Coalition for Change – Gvaramia, Melia, Girchi, Droa"". Georgia Today. 5 August 2024.
- ^ "Opposition Parties Sign Georgian Charter". Civil Georgia. 3 June 2024.
- ^ "Coalition for Change leaders sign declaration: Elected representatives will not collaborate with GD gov't". 1TV. 9 September 2024.
- ^ "Gvaramia Not to Run for MP". Civil Georgia. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ The Georgian Woman With The EU Flag. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2024 – via Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
- ^ Vincent, Faustine (18 March 2023). "Georgia protester holding European flag hailed as heroine". Le Monde. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ "მომავალი შენია! | "კოალიცია ცვლილებისთვის" პირველი ყრილობა". Mtavari Arkhi (in Georgian). 1 October 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ "Among the 5 parties that passed the threshold, 148 mandates were distributed with the so-called real votes, and 2 undistributed mandates were shared by "Georgian Dream" with the best result and Gvaramia-Melia coalition". Interpressnews. 29 October 2024.
- ^ Olga Dmitrieva (4 October 2024). "The hijacking of Europa. Cutting ties with EU, Georgia's ruling party sees its ratings plummet but remains ahead of opposition". The Insider.