Georgia creates oppositional bloc "National Forum"

On March 22, the political parties named "People's Forum", "Union of Traditionalists" and "Women's Party" decided to unite in Georgia and named their bloc as the "National Forum". According to Girguli Maghradze, leader of the "Women's Party", this name has already become a sort of a political brand.

"The bloc will be open for all political associations, which share our position," she added.

According to Akaki Asatiani, leader of the "Union of Traditionalists", the new bloc will not be electoral and does not plan to take part in elections.

Kakha Shartava, leader of the "People's Forum", said that the three parties share common views on socio-economic issues.

"The division of parties in Georgia into right- and left-wing ones is quite conditional; however, by their views on the economy and social policy the "People's Forum", traditionalists and the "Women's Party" are sooner the "right-wing" ones. It will be clearer in the future, which parties will be extreme right-wing ones and which - centre-right ones; however, it should be noted that the social situation in Georgia is so grave that sometimes even right-wing parties have to act from the leftist positions," said Kakha Shartava.

The traditionalist Akaki Asatiani says that the opposition needs clear organization to avoid past mistakes. "In 2009, hundreds of thousands kept going out to protest for three months in a row; however, they lacked organization and had no political aim," he told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Political analyst Ramaz Sakvarelidze believes that the unification of three parties will not make any significant changes in the political spectrum of Georgia. "Unless they change their methods, the new bloc won't work. It all depends on the ability of these parties to organize their work," he told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.