Coalition for Change (Georgia)

File:Coalition for Change (Georgia).png, Nika Melia, Zurab Japaridze, Elene Khoshtaria.]]

On 9 July 2024, Ahali, Girchi – More Freedom, and Droa announced the formation of an electoral coalition with the latter two parties already being in an alliance with each other since 2023. Lelo for Georgia was expected to join as well, however, it pulled out at the last second with the parties citing minor differences.{{cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/615707 |title=Ahali, Girchi-More Freedom and Droa Unite Ahead of Polls |publisher=Civil Georgia |date=9 July 2024 }} Lelo went on to form a coalition of its own by the name of Strong Georgia.{{cite web |url=https://1tv.ge/news/koaliciam-dzlieri-saqartvelo-saarchevno-kampaniis-dawyebastan-dakavshirebit-ghonisdzieba-gamarta/ |title=კოალიცია "ძლიერმა საქართველომ" საარჩევნო კამპანიის დაწყებასთან დაკავშირებით ღონისძიება გამართა |publisher=1TV |date=1 August 2024 }}

File:Ahali_electoral_billboard_2024.jpg

The aim of the alliance was for the parties to run on the same electoral list for the upcoming 2024 parliamentary election. Since formal electoral blocs were banned the coalition decided to run its candidates on the party list of Ahali. Ahali was subsequently renamed to Coalition for Change.{{cite web |url=https://georgiatoday.ge/name-of-akhali-party-determined-as-coalition-for-change-gvaramia-melia-girchi-droa/ |title=Name change for ‘Akhali’ party: "Coalition for Change – Gvaramia, Melia, Girchi, Droa" |publisher=Georgia Today |date=5 August 2024 }} On 18 August, the coalition expanded with the Republican Party and Activists for the Future movement joining it.{{cite web |url=https://1tv.ge/lang/en/news/republican-party-activists-for-future-join-coalition-for-change/ |title=Republican Party, Activists for Future join Coalition for Change |publisher=1TV |date=18 August 2024 }}

The parties in the coalition are signatories to the Georgian Charter initiated by the president Salome Zourabichvili with the aim of uniting the pro-Western opposition parties and setting out goals for a possible future government.{{cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/611114 |title=Opposition Parties Sign Georgian Charter |publisher=Civil Georgia |date=3 June 2024 }} The party leaders additionally signed a declaration prohibiting any cooperation with the Georgian Dream party, with Melia stating that the candidates on the coalition's list would not be accepted unless they sign the declaration as well.{{cite web |url=https://1tv.ge/lang/en/news/coalition-for-change-leaders-sign-declaration-elected-representatives-will-not-collaborate-with-gd-govt/ |title=Coalition for Change leaders sign declaration: Elected representatives will not collaborate with GD gov't |publisher=1TV |date=9 September 2024 }}

On 25 September 2024, Nika Gvaramia announced he would not be on the coalition’s candidate list, pledging to make space for new people. The following day, it was revealed that the top spot on the CfC's electoral list would be held by Nana Malashkhia, known as the "Woman with the EU Flag," a symbol of the March protests.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-25 |title=Gvaramia Not to Run for MP |url=https://civil.ge/archives/625897 |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=Civil Georgia |language=en-US}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/georgia-woman-protests-eu-flag-/32317343.html |title=The Georgian Woman With The EU Flag |date=2023-03-14 |language=en |access-date=2024-10-01 |via=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}}{{Cite news |last=Vincent |first=Faustine |date=2023-03-18 |title=Georgia protester holding European flag hailed as heroine |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/03/18/georgia-protester-holding-european-flag-hailed-as-heroine_6019830_4.html |access-date=2024-10-01 |work=Le Monde |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-10-01 |title=მომავალი შენია! {{!}} "კოალიცია ცვლილებისთვის" პირველი ყრილობა |url=https://mtavari.tv/news/166230-momavali-shenia-koalitsia-tsvlilebistvis-pirveli |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Mtavari Arkhi |language=ka}}

In the parliamentary election, the coalition received 11% and finished in second place. It was granted 19 seats in the Georgian parliament.{{cite web |url=https://www.interpressnews.ge/en/article/134432-among-the-5-parties-that-passed-the-threshold-148-mandates-were-distributed-with-the-so-called-real-votes-and-2-undistributed-mandates-were-shared-by-georgian-dream-with-the-best-result-and-gvaramia-melia-coalition|title=Among the 5 parties that passed the threshold, 148 mandates were distributed with the so-called real votes, and 2 undistributed mandates were shared by "Georgian Dream" with the best result and Gvaramia-Melia coalition|publisher=Interpressnews|date=29 October 2024 }}

Coalition for Change is described as being an alliance of pro-Western liberal parties. It is placed on the centre to centre-right of the political spectrum. The alliance has been further noted as being a unity of pro-European, progressive, and libertarian political ideologies. The coalition's main goal has been described as implementing the Georgian Charter. The parties also prioritize developing the economy, strengthening regional autonomy, and reforming education.{{cite web |url=https://theins.ru/en/politics/275084 |title=The hijacking of Europa. Cutting ties with EU, Georgia's ruling party sees its ratings plummet but remains ahead of opposition |publisher=The Insider |date=4 October 2024 |author=Olga Dmitrieva }}

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{{Georgian political crisis}}

Category:2024 establishments in Georgia (country)

Category:Political parties established in 2024

Category:Political party alliances in Georgia (country)

Category:Pro-European political parties in Georgia (country)

Category:Liberal parties in Georgia (country)