Georgia’s opposition feud deepens as UNM’s Ana Tsitlidze launches attack on Nika Gvaramia

Opposition United National Movement party (UNM) member Ana Tsitlidze has sharply criticised opposition leader Nika Gvaramia following his social media post in which he claimed that if he had 40 million, there would no longer be 40 people remaining in former President Mikheil Saakashvili’s party.

In a strongly worded response, Tsitlidze accused Gvaramia of exploiting several organisations and political platforms over the years, including Rustavi 2, Mtavari Arkhi, and the United National Movement.

“This is being said by a man who first looted Rustavi 2, then Mtavari Arkhi, and later the United National Movement; a man who received a monthly salary of 85,000 GEL - and that was the lowest amount - while many of his employees went months without being paid”, Tsitlidze wrote.

She further alleged that Gvaramia played a role in the closure of Mtavari Arkhi and claimed that he received 40 million in exchange for betraying those who had previously supported him.

According to Tsitlidze, Gvaramia is now attempting to insult individuals who, she said, have spent the past 14 years fighting against the current government without personal gain.

“They were fighting selflessly even when Gvaramia was receiving 85,000 GEL a month in salary”, she stated.

Addressing Gvaramia directly, Tsitlidze said he was mistaken if he believed party members would tolerate such remarks, adding that he had already been “bought and discarded” by Bidzina Ivanishvili.

Gvaramia has not publicly responded to Tsitlidze’s latest accusations.