Opposition UNM unveils top 10 election candidates

Today opposition political party United National Movement (UNM) revealed its election list, naming its top 10 candidates for the October Parliamentary Election race. 

The party, which led Georgia’s government from 2003 to 2012, said its priority was attracting "new faces and new energy” for the upcoming election. 

Unsurprisingly, Davit Bakradze – one of the most prominent faces of the party – was named number one on the list. 

The following positions were occupied by UNM members, former officials and experts. 

See UNM’s top ten: 

1. Davit Bakradze – UNM leader; 
2. Elene Khoshtaria – a political expert and envoy of local NGO Georgia’s Reforms Associates (GRASS); 
3. Roman Gotsiridze – an economic expert, former head of the National Bank of Georgia (2005-2007); 
4. Nika Melia – UNM member; 
5. Giorgi Tugushi – former Public Defender and Minister of Corrections of Georgia (2009-2012); 
6. Otar Kakhidze – a lawyer; 
7. Salome Samadashvili – a lawyer, held several high-ranking diplomatic posts under former government; 
8. Irakli Abesadze – UNM member; 
9. Sergi Kapanadze – former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs under ex-government, founder of local NGO Georgia’s Reforms Associates (GRASS); and 
10. Sergo Ratiani – UNM - lawmaker. 

In his presentation speech Bakradze said Georgia required a government with "the right vision, high competence and renewed energy”, and this would be ensured by UNM. 

We have presented our renewed team – our team has the right vision, new energy, past experience and knowledge that will take the country out of the existing economic crisis,” Bakradze said, promising the UNM party list would include some other new faces. 

Shortly after UNM released its election list, Georgian Dream coalition representative said UNM had "no chance” in winning the election as the people of Georgia had not faith or trust in the party.