GD supporters break into UNM office in Tbilisi

Supporters of Georgia’s opposition United National Movement (UNM) party broke into the party’s Tbilisi office on Sunday, demanding the resignation of party leader Nika Melia.

The protesters, who numbered around 100, forced their way into the office and demanded that Melia step down over his handling of the party’s recent electoral defeat.

Melia, who was elected UNM leader in 2019, has been under pressure to resign since the party’s poor showing in the October 2021 parliamentary elections. The party won only 3.3% of the vote, down from 13.4% in the previous election.

The protesters accused Melia of failing to unite the party and of being out of touch with the concerns of ordinary Georgians.

“Melia has lost the trust of the people,” said one protester. “He needs to resign so that the party can move forward.”

Melia has refused to step down, saying that he is committed to leading the party through this difficult time.

“I understand that people are angry and frustrated,” Melia said in a statement. “But I am not going to resign. I am going to stay and fight for the future of this party.”

The break-in at the UNM office is the latest in a series of protests against Melia’s leadership.

In December, a group of UNM members launched a petition calling for Melia’s resignation. The petition has garnered over 1,000 signatures.

It is unclear what the future holds for Melia and the UNM party.

The party is facing an uphill battle to regain the trust of the Georgian people.

Melia’s refusal to step down is likely to further divide the party.

Only time will tell whether Melia will be able to weather this storm and lead the UNM party to a brighter future.