List of political parties in Georgia (country)

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.''

''The following parties won seats in the 10th Parliament of Georgia but have since then resigned them.''

Parties with local representation

''The following parties have no nationwide representation but have elected officials at the local level.''

Small parties

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

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

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

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

''The following parties have not taken part in the last two election cycles but maintain an active organization.''

Historical parties

Held national offices

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

Small, defunct parties

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

Democratic Republic of Georgia

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

Banned parties

''The following parties are currently banned.''

* Communist Party of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia - banned in 1991.
* Centrists Party - banned in 2016.

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 of parties supports Euro-Atlanticism and opposes any rapprochement towards Russia. They claim that the West is "civilizational choice" of Georgian people and that Georgia should join the EU and NATO. They view Russia as the biggest, imperialistic threat to Georgia and argue that the only way for Georgia to survive is to join EU and NATO, in other case, they claim that Georgia will be annexed by Russia. They consider that no negotiation with Russia is possible as Russia is imperialistic and its only goal is to subjugate former Soviet Union. Therefore, because of this, they argue that any political position which does not supports uncompromising pro-Western and anti-Russian policy, benefits Russia and is therefore pro-Russian. This group of parties considers all their opponents on foreign policy matters to be pro-Russian, whether they actually support Russia or not.

This group includes following parties: United National Movement, Progress and Freedom, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, Lelo for Georgia, European Georgia, Girchi — More Freedom, Girchi, Droa, Law and Justice, Republican Party, Citizens, State for the People, National Democratic Party, For the People, Victorious Georgia

*This group of parties also shares the view that Russia is the greatest threat to Georgia and considers joining EU and NATO as foreign policy priorities. They also claim that the alignment with the West is civilizational choice of Georgian people. However, they argue that the reality of Russia being the large and powerful neighbor of Georgia can not be ignored and Georgia's foreign policy should be shaped based on this reality. Georgia, as other small states, must play sophisticated games with its large and powerful neighbor in order to survive in such environment. They often appeal to national interests, claiming that maintaining some ties with Russia, such as economic relations, is beneficial to Georgia because of Russia's proximity and economic power. Therefore, domestic and foreign policies of Georgia in these areas should be shaped by interests rather than ideological notions. They say that Georgia's policy towards Russia should be pragmatic, flexible and cautious. They usually condemn Russia politically, but have relatively soft rhetoric compared to first group of parties - they claim that too radical and uncompromising policy towards Russia can lead to confrontation with Russia, which will have dire consequences for Georgia. These parties oppose imposing visa regime for Russian citizens, ban on Russian tourists visiting Georgia, banning capital flow from Russia and etc. - claiming that such actions don't reflect Georgian interests and will harm Georgian economy and Georgian citizens. These parties fully support Georgia's membership into EU and NATO, but maybe sometimes critical of these organizations when they feel that certain policies contradict Georgia's interests.

This group includes following parties: Georgian Dream, People's Power, For Georgia, European Socialists, Social Democrats for the Development of Georgia, Greens Party

*This group of parties, on the other hand, although does not necessarily opposes Georgia's membership in the EU, argues that Georgia should reorient its foreign policy towards building friendly relations with Russia. They claim that the only way Georgia can restore its sovereignty over Abkhazia and South Ossetia is to normalize its relations with Russia. They oppose Georgia's proposed membership in the NATO, saying that it provokes Russia to engage into hostilities with Georgia. This group thinks that successful negotiation with Russia is possible, and often blames the Saakashvili administration for pursuing pro-NATO foreign policy which led to the strained relations with Moscow. They claim that Georgia should be "neutral country", which they think reflects Georgian interests better than pro-NATO foreign orientation. Although this group does not vehemently opposes Georgia’s membership in the EU, they do not view it possible in the foreseeable future and oppose certain (mosly liberal) EU policies, which they claim are incompatible with Georgian culture and traditions.

This group includes following parties: Alliance of Patriots, Democratic Movement – United Georgia, Georgian Troupe, Christian-Democrats, Left-wing alliance, Georgian March, Political Movement of Veterans and Patriots, Industry Will Save Georgia

*This group of parties supports full alignment with Russia and views the West as a primary threat to the country. They support joining Eurasian Economic Union and Collective Security Treaty Organization and claim that allying with Christian Russia is a civilization choice of Georgian people. They support Russian military presence in Georgia and view the West, which they equate with the liberal ideology, which is anti-Christian, pro-LGBT, pro-immigration and cosmopolitan, as the greatest threat to Georgain culture and national identity. They also are skeptical towards Western involvement in Georgia, claiming that the West uses Georgia only for its own purposes to "encircle" Russia and weaken it by provoking its neighbors to wage war with it.

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

See also

* List of political parties in Abkhazia
* List of political parties in South Ossetia
* Lists of political parties

References

{{Georgia (country) topics

Georgia

Political parties
Political parties
Georgia
Georgia