New Right (Georgia)
Encyclopedia
The New Rights Party of Georgia (Akhali Memarjveneebi, ახალი მემარჯვენეები), also translated as New Conservative Party is a liberal conservative
party
in Georgia
. It is an associate member of the International Democrat Union
and applicant of the European People's Party
.
On December 8, 2008, the New Rights Party joined the Republican Party of Georgia
in a new opposition alliance. Both parties united in "The Alliance for Georgia" led by Irakli Alasania
, Georgia's ex-envoy to the United Nations
in February 2009.
was still President
and his Citizens’ Union of Georgia
(CUG) was an influential force on the political stage of the country.
After formation, despite small membership, the New Faction (at that point there were only ten members) managed to significantly change the situation in the Parliament.
The original membership of the New Faction consisted of David Gamkrelidze
(presently NRP chairman), Levan Gachechiladze, Pikria Chikhradze, Gia Karkarashvili, Irakli Iashvili, David Saganelidze (presently NCP Secretary General), David Koghuashvili, Dodo Shelia, George Kvirikashvili, and Valeri Kvaratskhelia.
On June 15, 2001, on the basis of the New Faction, New Movement, and Neo-Conservative Union, a new political party - the New Conservative Party of Georgia - was formed. Levan Gachechiladze was elected as NCP chairman and David Gamkrelidze
as co-chairman.
.
Despite the just outrage of the people, the NCP considered it unacceptable that the government should be changed by means of street demonstrations, as they believed it to be unconstitutional.
Participating in the repeat elections of 2004, the New Conservatives passed the seven percent threshold once again. THe NCP united with another center-right party – Industry will Save Georgia – and formed a Coalition Right Opposition
.
Liberal conservatism
Liberal conservatism also known as progressive conservatism is a variant of political conservatism which incorporates liberal elements. As "conservatism" and "liberalism" have had different meanings over time and across countries, the term "liberal conservatism" has been used in quite different...
party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
. It is an associate member of the International Democrat Union
International Democrat Union
The International Democrat Union, abbreviated to IDU, is a centre-right international alliance of conservative and liberal-conservative political parties. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, the IDU comprises 45 full or associate members...
and applicant of the European People's Party
European People's Party
The European People's Party is a pro-European centre-right European political party. The EPP was founded in 1976 by Christian democratic parties, but later it increased its membership to include conservative parties and parties of other centre-right perspectives.The EPP is the most influential of...
.
On December 8, 2008, the New Rights Party joined the Republican Party of Georgia
Republican Party of Georgia
The Republican Party of Georgia , commonly known as the Republicans , is a political party in Georgia active since 1978. It is currently in opposition to Mikheil Saakashvili’s government...
in a new opposition alliance. Both parties united in "The Alliance for Georgia" led by Irakli Alasania
Irakli Alasania
Irakli Alasania is a Georgian politician and former diplomat. He was Georgia’s Ambassador to the United Nations from September 11, 2006, until December 4, 2008. His previous assignments include Chairman of the Government of Abkhazia and the President of Georgia’s aide in the Georgian-Abkhaz talks...
, Georgia's ex-envoy to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
in February 2009.
Establishment
The idea to establish the NRP began to emerge during the time when Eduard ShevardnadzeEduard Shevardnadze
Eduard Shevardnadze is a former Soviet, and later, Georgian statesman from the height to the end of the Cold War. He served as President of Georgia from 1995 to 2003, and as First Secretary of the Georgian Communist Party , from 1972 to 1985. Shevardnadze was responsible for many top decisions on...
was still President
President of Georgia
The President of Georgia is the head of state, supreme commander-in-chief and holder of the highest office within the Government of Georgia. Executive power is split between the President and the Prime Minister, who is the head of government...
and his Citizens’ Union of Georgia
Union of Citizens of Georgia
The Union of Citizens of Georgia is a centre-left political party established by Eduard Shevardnadze, President of Georgia between 1992-2003 and David Chantladze, former General Trade Representative of Soviet Union to Czechoslovakia...
(CUG) was an influential force on the political stage of the country.
After formation, despite small membership, the New Faction (at that point there were only ten members) managed to significantly change the situation in the Parliament.
The original membership of the New Faction consisted of David Gamkrelidze
David Gamkrelidze
David Gamkrelidze or Davit Gamqrelidze , is a Georgian politician, Leader of the New Rights Party of Georgia, Member of Parliament since 1999, Member of Committee for Defense and Security, Chairman of the Centre-Right Opposition Group in the Parliament of Georgia...
(presently NRP chairman), Levan Gachechiladze, Pikria Chikhradze, Gia Karkarashvili, Irakli Iashvili, David Saganelidze (presently NCP Secretary General), David Koghuashvili, Dodo Shelia, George Kvirikashvili, and Valeri Kvaratskhelia.
On June 15, 2001, on the basis of the New Faction, New Movement, and Neo-Conservative Union, a new political party - the New Conservative Party of Georgia - was formed. Levan Gachechiladze was elected as NCP chairman and David Gamkrelidze
David Gamkrelidze
David Gamkrelidze or Davit Gamqrelidze , is a Georgian politician, Leader of the New Rights Party of Georgia, Member of Parliament since 1999, Member of Committee for Defense and Security, Chairman of the Centre-Right Opposition Group in the Parliament of Georgia...
as co-chairman.
Elections
In only a year from its formation, the New Conservatives achieved considerable results. In the local elections held on June 2, 2002, NCP came out first nation-wide and third in Tbilisi. After the victory in the local elections, the party set itself preparing for the parliamentary elections. A few months prior to the November 2, 2003 parliamentary elections, the NCP 2nd Congress elected David Gamkrelidze as a new chairman. The New Conservatives managed to successfully overcome the established seven percent threshold. A number of parties boycotted the November 2, 2003 election results accusing the authorities of fraud. This triggered fierce public discontent nation-wide, which eventually resulted in the toppling of Shevardnadze’s regime in the Rose RevolutionRose Revolution
The "Revolution of Roses" was a change of power in Georgia in November 2003, which took place after having widespread protests over the disputed parliamentary elections...
.
Despite the just outrage of the people, the NCP considered it unacceptable that the government should be changed by means of street demonstrations, as they believed it to be unconstitutional.
Participating in the repeat elections of 2004, the New Conservatives passed the seven percent threshold once again. THe NCP united with another center-right party – Industry will Save Georgia – and formed a Coalition Right Opposition
Rightist Opposition
The Right Opposition is an alliance of Georgia's New Rights and Industry will save Georgia parties. It is the only opposition group that successfully won over seven percent of the votes on March 28, 2004, which was the necessary threshold to secure seats in Parliament...
.