List of political parties in Georgia (country) explained

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.

Official logo Name Ideology Year founded Votes in 2020 proportional parliamentary polls Seats in Parliament Leader Note
Georgian Dream Social democracy

Syncretism
2012 928,004 (48.22%) 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 the United National 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.
United National Movement
Euro-Atlanticism
Economic liberalism
Civic nationalism
2001 Ran in coalition as part of Strength is in Unity Bloc. 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 to the power until its defeat in the 2012 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.
People's Power 2022 Then part of Georgian Dream. 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 group proposed a 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.
For Georgia 2021 Then part of Georgian Dream. Formed by former Georgian Dream Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, who resigned and left GD in 2021. The party has been critical of both the GD government and the opposition United National Movement.
Girchi 2016 55,598 (2.89%) A right-libertarian party that split from UNM, known for its strong support for legalization of cannabis in Georgia and free market economic policy.
European Socialists 2020 Then part of Alliance of Patriots of Georgia. A group of businessmen that broke from the Alliance of Patriots to establish their own political grouping in parliament. A party has social democratic and conservative views.
Progress and Freedom 2020 Ran in coalition as part of Strength is in Unity Bloc. Founded by businessman Kakha Okriashvili, who was previously associated with the GD but currently is partner of UNM.
State for the People 2016 Ran in coalition as part of Strength is in Unity Bloc. Founded by Paata Burchuladze as an attempt to bring new faces to politics, generally considered to be unsuccessful project. The party was rebranded since then and currently is in coalition with other opposition parties to remove GD from government.
Lelo for Georgia 2019 60,712 (3.15%) Founded by banker Mamuka Khazaradze.
Strategy Aghmashenebeli 2016 Ran in coalition with Law and Justice. Founded by former UNM government official Giorgi Vashadze as a new beginning for Vashadze's political ambitions.
Citizens 2020 25,508 (1.33%) Founded by activist Aleko Elisashvili, described as populist.
Republican Party 1978 Ran in coalition as part of Strength is in Unity Bloc. Oldest active Georgian political party, founded on liberal principles during the late Soviet period.
Law and Justice 2019 Ran in coalition with Strategy Aghmashenebeli. Founded by former UNM politician Tako Charkviani
National Democratic Party 1988 421 (0.02%) One of the oldest 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.
Victorious Georgia 2019 Ran in coalition as part of Strength is in Unity Bloc. Founded by former UNM defence minister Irakli Okruashvili, who supported a military solution to the Ossetia conflict. The party strongly opposes Russian migration to Georgia during the Ukraine crisis, 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.

Logo Name Ideology Year founded Votes in the 2020 parliamentary polls Leader Note
European Georgia — Movement for Liberty 2017 72,986 (3.79%) Founded by former UNM politicians, considered to be more liberal counterpart of the UNM
Alliance of Patriots of Georgia 2012 60,480 (3.14%) 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 strongly opposes UNM and proposed to ban it on the ground that it ran "criminal 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 Labour Party 1995 19,314 (1.00%) Founded by Shalva Natelashvili, one of the oldest but also minor parties
Girchi - More Freedom 2020 Then a part of Girchi. A right-libertarian party founded by Zura Japaridze after leaving New Political Center - Girchi.
Droa 2021 Then a part of European Georgia. A socially liberal party founded by former UNM minister Elene Khoshtaria.
Regions for Georgia Then a part of European Georgia Tariel Nakaidze A party founded by Muslim Georgian MP Tariel Nakaidze, aimed at promoting the political rights of ethnic minorities.
Ahali Then a part of UNM A split from the United National Movement, founded by its former chairman Nika Melia after the latter lost his reelection for the 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.

Logo Name Ideology Year founded Seats held in Leader Note
For the People 2021 A centre-left party founded by former government official Anna Dolidze, not associated previously with any other party.
Free Georgia 2010 Founded by former Conservative Party member Kakha Kukava.

Small parties

The following parties have no elected official but took part in the 2021 local elections.

Name Ideology Year founded Leader
Mamuli 1993 Teimuraz Bobokhidze
Nation 1989 Mirian Mirianashvili
Alliance of Democrats 2021 Giorgi Buchukuri
SAKHE + 2020 Ednar Bagrationi
Free Choice - New Alternative 2018 Giorgi Pataridze
Left-Wing Alliance 2013 Ioseb Shatberashvili
Tribuna 2020 Davit Chichinadze
Our United Georgia 2021 Isaki Giorgadze
Third Way 2021 Giorgi Tumanishvili
European Democrats 2005 Paata Davitaia
Sakartvelo Reformism
Georgian nationalism
Euroscepticism
Caucasian federalism
2016 Giorgi Liluashvili
Snap Elections - United Georgia - Democratic Movement 2008 Nino Burjanadze
Future Georgia 2008 Giorgi Laghidze
Social Justice 2020 Mamuka Tuskadze
Greens Party 1989 Gia Gachechiladze
Tamaz Mechiauri for United Georgia 2016 Vacant
Reformers 2014 Davit Mirotadze
Whites 2012 Teimuraz Shashiashvili
New Christian-Democrats 2021 Gogi Tsulaia
Reformer 2020 Tornike Janashvili
Tavisupleba - Zviad Gamsakhurdias Gza 2004 Malkhazi Gorgasalidze
Georgian Troupe 2007 Jondi Baghaturia
Socialist Workers' Party 1999 Tamaz Japoshvili
People's Party 2006 Alexandre Kobaidze
Georgian Social-Democratic Party 1989 Avtandil Veltauri

The following parties registered but failed ballot access in the 2021 local elections.

Name Ideology Year founded Leader
XX Century 2021 Grigol Oniani
Party of Georgian Unity 1990 Giorgi Chincharauli
Free Democrats 2009 Tamar Kekenadze
Green Earth 2020 Nugzar Meladze
For Justice 2019 Eka Beselia
Georgia's Euro-Atlantic Way 2020 Shorena Gardapkhadze

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

Name Ideology Year founded Leader 2020 results
Zviad's Way (For God, Justice, and Country) 1990 Vacant 1,563 (0.08%)
Social-Democrats for Georgia's Development 2010 Gia Zhorzholiani 4,413 (0.23%)
New Power 2020 Lazare Zakariadze 1,458 (0.08%)
Georgian Roots Georgian nationalism
Diaspora repatriation
2020 Tengiz Okropilashvili 1,914 (0.1%)
Political Movement of Veterans of the Armed Forces and Patriots of Georgia 2007 Gia Berdzenidze 3,245 (0.17%)
Change Georgia 2020 Giorgi Gagnidze 1,292 (0.07%)
Conservative Party 2001 3,124 (0.16%)
Patriotic Order - Homeland 2001 Grigoli Sokhadze 583 (0.03%)
Choice for Homeland 2020 Lela Guledani 536 (0.03%)
National Democratic Movement 2014 Davit Shukakidze 4,850 (0.25%)
Movement for a Free Georgia 2018 Khatuna Koiava 739 (0.04%)
Georgian Choice 2020 Bezhan Gunava 2,165 (0.11%)
Our Georgia - Solidarity Alliance 2020 8,335 (0.43%)
Georgian Idea 2014 Levan Chachua 8,263 (0.43%)
Georgian March 2017 4,753 (0.25%)
Progressive Georgia 2020 Irakli Murtskhvaladze 980 (0.05%)
Euro-Atlantic Vector 2011 Sergo Javakhidze 424 (0.02%)
Christian-Democratic People's Movement 2020 Ani Rekhviashvili 334 (0.02%)
Georgia's Development 2020 Ketevan Gogoladze 1,549 (0.08%)
Traditionalists 1989 479 (0.02%)
Industry Will Save Georgia 1999 1,048 (0.05%)

The following parties registered but failed ballot access in the 2020 parliamentary election.

Name Ideology Year founded Leader
Political League of Georgian Highlanders 1988 Gela Pitskhelauri
Party of Georgian National Unity 1988 Giorgi Chincharauli
Voice of Mother, Voice of Nation 2009 Nina Kvesadze
New 2016 Giorgi Lemonjava
National-Christian Party for Georgia 1999 Davit Khomasuridze
Consolidation Party of Georgian Citizens 1998 Erekle Ivelashvili
Friendship Union, Independence and Prosperity 1998 Shota Mebuke
Georgian Conservative Monarchist Party 1989 Temur Zhorzholiani
Christian-Conservative Party 1997 Shota Malashkhia
Party of Georgian Unity and Development 2020 Kamal Muradkhanov
Union for Protection of the Georgian Pensioners' Right 1997 Irakli Natsvlishvili
Unity of Iberians 2019 Giorgi Tsiptauri
Unity of Georgian Nationalists 1991 Gaioz Mamaladze

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 1989 Giorgi Gachechiladze
Rustavel's Path 2023 Akia Barbakadze
Greens 2022 Tamar Jakeli
Ilia Chavchavadze Society 1987 Tamar Chkheidze
Unified Communist Party of Georgia 1994 Nugzar Avaliani

Historical parties

Held national offices

The following parties held at least one legislative seat since 1990, but have ceased to exist.

Logo Party Ideology Years active Note
Round Table—Free Georgia 1990-1994 An alliance of Georgian political parties led by Zviad Gamsakhurdia. It played a decisive role in the restoration of independence of Georgia and was a governing coalition in 1990-1992.
National Forum 2006-2017 Radical political party led by Kakha Shartava and in the opposition in 2006–2012. Part of the ruling coalition in 2012–2016. Absorbed by the Development Movement in 2017.
New Rights 2001-2019 One of the largest opposition parties, formed in 2001 as the New Conservative Party by uniting the New Faction, New Movement, and Neo-Conservative Union. A member of several opposition blocks, including the 2004 Right Opposition, the 2008 United Opposition, and the 2018 Strength is in Unity. Absorbed by Lelo for Georgia in 2019.
Christian-Democratic Movement 2008-2018 Opposition party with seats in the 2008-2012 Parliament. Party has never been disbanded but it has not had any activity since the 2018 presidential election.
Democratic Union for Revival 1991-2004 Originally known as the Adjaran Union for the Rebirth of Georgia, one of the largest opposition parties in the 1990s. Held control of the Adjarian Autonomous Republic and led by Aslan Abashidze. Party disbanded when the latter fled Georgia in 2004.
For a New Georgia 2003-2008 Created during the 2003 parliamentary election to back Eduard Shevardnadze after the collapse of the Citizens' Union. The party ceased to function after the Rose Revolution but kept 19 MPs until 2008.
Union of Citizens of Georgia 1993-2003 Ruling party from 1993 to 2003. Led by President Eduard Shevardnadze. Abolished in 2003 ahead of the parliamentary election and replaced by For a New Georgia.
Socialist Party 1995-2003 Formed as an opposition party and integrated into an alliance with the Democratic Union for Revival during the 1999 parliamentary election. Stopped functioning following the Rose Revolution.
Konstantine Gamsakhurdia Society 1992-2003 Formed as an opposition party and integrated into an alliance with the Democratic Union for Revival during the 1999 parliamentary election. Stopped functioning following the Rose Revolution.
Georgian Freedom and Unity Movement 1992-2003 Formed as an opposition party and integrated into an alliance with the Democratic Union for Revival during the 1999 parliamentary election. Stopped functioning following the Rose Revolution.
Union of Reformers and Agrarians 1992-1999 Part of the National Accord electoral bloc in 1995 and won one seat in Parliament. It ceased its activities after failing to win reelection in 1999.
Union of Sportsmen of Georgia 1994-2008 Part of the National Accord electoral bloc in 1995 and won one seat in Parliament. Failed to win reelection in 1999 and ceased its activities after a poor showing in the 2008 parliamentary election. Founded by infamous thief-in-law Otari Kvantrishvili.
Support 1994-1999 Led by State Minister Otar Patsatsia as a party officially supporting Eduard Shevardnadze, though backing more center-right politics than the Citizens' Union.
Democratic Union of Georgia 1991-1998 Founded by several former Soviet dissidents, including Avtandil Margiani and Zurab Tsereteli. Part of the ruling coalition in 1992 and won three seats in the 1995 parliamentary election. Ceased its activities following the 1999 parliamentary election.
Lemi 1995-1999 Regional party based in Svaneti and chaired by MP Tengiz Gazdeliani, who also served in the ruling coalition since 1992. Gazdeliani was its only elected leader and the party disbanded in 1999.
Bourgeois-Democratic Party 1992-1996 Founded ahead of the 1992 parliamentary election as the political branch of the civil society organization League of Economic and Social Progress of Georgia and joined the Peace Bloc that endorsed the candidacy of Eduard Shevardnadze, winning two seats in Parliament.
People's Front 1989-1999 Formed as one of the largest anti-Soviet organizations by Nodar Natadze. Opposed to the presidencies of Zviad Gamsakhurdia and Eduard Shevardnadze. Won 16 seats in the 1992 parliamentary election as part of the "11 October Bloc". Disappeared following the 1999 election.
Christian-Democratic Union 1989-1999 Opposed to the presidency of Zviad Gamsakhurdia. Won 3 seats in the 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 Justice 1990-1999 Won 2 seats in the 1992 parliamentary election. Disappeared following the 1999 election.
Liberal-Democratic National Party 1990-1997 Won 14 seats in the 1992 parliamentary election as part of the Unity Bloc, the only party to win seats from that coalition. Originally in opposition to President Eduard Shevardnadze, it endorsed him in the 1995 presidential election and disappeared shortly thereafter.
Democratic Party 1991-1998 Won 10 seats in the 1992 parliamentary election and only one in the 1995 elections. Absorbed by the Socialist Party in 1998.
Charter-91 1991-2019 Formed as one of the leading members of the Round Table ruling coalition that backed Zviad Gamsakhurdia and continued activities as an opposition party during the presidency of Eduard Shevardnadze. 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.
Merab Kostava Society 1990-1999 One of Georgia's earlier political parties, originally part of the Round Table - Free Georgia coalition that backed the presidency of Zviad Gamsakhurdia and joined the opposition to President Eduard 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.
National Independence Party 1988-2006 One of Georgia's earlier political parties, founded by dissident Irakli Tsereteli and regularly associated with right-wing, monarchist, and conservative parties. While it won seats in the 1990 and 1992 parliamentary elections, its activities were largely discontinued after 1995. Its leader, Irakli Tsereteli, was arrested in 2006 for supporting guerrilla partisans in the Kodori Valley.
Union of Farmers of All Georgia 1987-1999 Won two seats in the 1992 parliamentary election. Ceased all activities after 1999.
Helsinki Union of Georgia 1976-1993 Oldest political party in post-Soviet Georgia, created as a group of anti-Soviet dissidents by Zviad Gamsakhurdia. Part of the Round Table - Free Georgia electoral alliance that led Georgia to independence in 1991. Lost power as a result of the 1991-1992 coup, after which the party has formally boycotted all electoral activities.

Small, defunct parties

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

Logo Name Ideology Years active Leader
The Way of Georgia 2006-2019 Salome Zurabishvili
Development Movement 2017-2019 Davit Usupashvili
Party of the Future 2008-2012 Giorgi Maisashvili
Party of Hope 2006 Igor Giorgadze
Irina Sarishvili

Democratic Republic of Georgia

The following parties were active during the 1918-1921 Democratic Republic of Georgia.

Name Ideology Results in the 1919 election
Social Democratic Labour Party of Georgia 409,766 (80.96%)
Georgian Socialist-Federalist Revolutionary Party 33,721 (6.66%)
National Democratic Party 30,754 (6.08%)
Socialist-Revolutionary Party of Georgia 21,453 (4.24%)
Radical-Democratic Party of Georgia 3,107 (0.61%)
Armenian Party in Georgia–Dashnaktsitiuni 2,353 (0.46%)
Left Socialist-Federalist Party 1,616 (0.32%)
Georgian National Landowners Party 1,532 (0.30%)
Russian Social Democratic Labour Party 779 (0.15%)
Group of Muslims from Borchalo District 77 (0.02%)
National Council of Muslims 60 (0.01%)
Aesthetic League of Patriots 53 (0.01%)
Shota Rustaveli Group 51 (0.01%)
Democratic Group of Georgian Hellenes 14 (0.00%)

Banned or deregistered parties

The following parties are currently banned or deregistered.

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 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 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 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 includes following parties: Conservative Movement/Alt-Info, Georgian Idea, Unity of Iberians

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Party Stripped Of Registration For Georgian Parliamentary Elections Amid 'Pro-Russia' Outcry. Radio Freedom. 18 August 2016. 11 September 2022.
  2. News: Georgia's Public Registry revokes registration of controversial Conservative Movement. Front News Georgia. 8 April 2024. 11 April 2024.
  3. Web site: Georgia’s Alt Info to run in elections with Alliance of Patriots . OC Media . 11 June 2024 .
  4. Book: Silagadze . Givi . Eurosceptic, therefore, Pro-Russian? . 2021 . Georgian Institute of Politics . Tbilisi, Georgia . 15 September 2012.