Lelo for Georgia

Lelo for Georgia (lit. 'Try for Georgia') is a political party in Georgia that was created at the end of 2019 by businessmen Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze.[1] The party has attracted a number of prominent political figures and parties (through mergers), including David Usupashvili's Development Movement, the New Rights Party and Pikria Chikhradze.[2] It also has attracted a number of centre-left political figures, such as Grigol Gegelia.[3][4]

Lelo for Georgia

ლელო საქართველოსთვის
LeaderMamuka Khazaradze
General SecretaryBadri Japaridze
Chairman of Political CouncilDavid Usupashvili
FoundedDecember 22, 2019
Merger ofDevelopment Movement
New Rights Party
HeadquartersCentral Station, Tbilisi
IdeologyLiberalism
Pro-Europeanism
Political positionCentre
Colours  Yellow
Seats in Parliament
4 / 150
Website
lelo2020.ge

Political ambitions

The party is seeking to contest the parliamentary elections in Georgia, scheduled for October 2020.[5] The party says that it seeks to "defeat the bipolar system" that it sees as dominant in Georgia.[1] They are close from the opposition alliance which has been formed during early 2020 in order to contest the Georgian Dream parliamentary majority.

Political views

Lelo for Georgia is a centrist and liberal party, which aims to transcend the dichotomy between the Georgian Dream and the United National Movement, thus putting to an end the bipolar system running in Georgia since 2012.

The party is willing to strengthen the economy, encourage investments in Georgia and to enhance the daily life conditions of the population. The party supports the setting of a minimum wage, parental leave, and the setting of overtime pay rates but does not support the institution of unemployment insurance. [6]

They also claim to wish for the reestablishment of the "rule of law" and to make the judiciary power totally independent from the political class. This will is linked with the controversies linked to trials and arrests which are said to be "politically motivated", such as the case of Giorgi Ugulava.[7] The two founders of the party, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, are both under investigation for money laundering,[8] which they claim to be a politically motivated.

Origin of the founders

Prior to setting up the party, Khazaradze and some of his partners had set up a public movement in September 2019.[9] Khazaradze is a co-founder of TBC Bank and of the Anaklia Development Consortium.[10] As of January 2020, the party's program is still under development. At the same time, the party has regularly criticized the government on various policies, including relations with Russia and large infrastructure projects.[11][12]

References
  1. Hauer, Neil (Feb 4, 2020). "Is Georgia Ready for a Trump of Its Own?". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  2. "Lelo, New Rights, Development Movement Team up for Consulting Platform". Civil.GE. 29 Nov 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  3. Civil.GE (December 23, 2019). "Khazaradze's Lelo, New Rights, Development Movement Set up New Political Union". Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  4. Dumbadze, Ana (Nov 1, 2019). "12 More Members of Lelo Movement Announced". Georgia Today. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  5. Forestier-Walker, Robin (26 December 2019). "Georgian business magnate takes on ruling party". Al-Jazeera. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  6. "voter's guide: labor rights". shroma.ge. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  7. "Opposition leader Ugulava sentenced to 3 years in prison". Agenda.ge. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  8. "Ombudsperson: Khazaradze-Japaridze Case Materials 'Do not Contain' Money Laundering Elements". Civil.ge. 2020-01-15. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  9. Civil.GE. "Mamuka Khazaradze Launches New Public Movement "Lelo"". Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  10. Lomsadze, Giorgi (September 18, 2019). "Georgia's Third Option". EurasiaNet. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  11. Lomsadze, Giorgi (Jan 29, 2020). "Can Georgia handle Sergey Lavrov?". EurasiaNet. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  12. "KHAZARADZE ABOUT KVESHETI-KOBI ROAD: WHY ARE WE BUILDING A HIGHWAY FOR RUSSIA TO ROLL THEIR TANKS?". Business Media Georgia. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
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