Creation of new political platform sparks controversies, rivalry between former allies

High Council of Justice member Anna Dolidze, opposition leader Aleko Elisashvili and independent MP Levan Koberidze have created a new political platform with plans to transform it into a political party. 

The three say that they aim to create ‘a different platform and a new reality.’ 

We have a clean past, we have always fought, worked for a better future for the country. Now the fight will become more devoted to Georgia’s success and its Euro-Atlantic integration,” Dolidze, Koberidze and Elisashvili said.

They say that the country’s current agenda is monopolised by two political forces ‘which are making false promises and [in doing so] empowering each other.‘ 

At the end of May Dolidze founded the civic movement For the People.

Before announcing the new political platform yesterday, seven NGOs, including Transparency International Georgia and the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy, urged Dolidze to leave her post if she had plans to enter politics. 

The same appeal was made by another non-judge member of the High Council of Justice Nazi Janezashvili who has frequently appeared with Dolidze, stating that most judge members of the High Council of Justice were politically biased and ‘run by a clan.

Janezashvili said Dolidze acted in the way she (Dolidze) had criticised others. ’ 

Janezashvili stated yesterday that Dolidze has already violated the law as non-judge members of the High Council of Justice are not allowed to engage in the activities of political activities.

In response Dolidze accused Janezashvili of discrediting her image and cooperating with judge members of the High Council of Justice they had both called biased. 

Dolidze also said that Janezashvili is not ‘well-versed in law’ and her statements could be ‘due to her (low) qualification.’ 

Dolidze claims that her current activities do not contradict the law and urged people who have questions regarding the issue to look into the matter further.

Elisashvili,  who participated in election talks with the ruling Georgian Dream party on behalf of the united opposition, has quit the opposition unity, saying that there were several members in the group he opposed. 

Dolidze has not stated who may fund the platform, while Elisashvili has told media outlets that ‘as of now, when there is no political party, there is no need for funding.’