The United National Movement, the country's main opposition party, has announced a leadership swap, with Nika Melia stepping down as interim chair of the political council.

Melia revealed in a press conference on January 10 that the party has appointed Koba Nakopia, a veteran member and MP, as the next chair of the political council. Meanwhile, Melia has announced that he would take over as interim leader of the UNM's Tbilisi section.

Since 2019, Melia and Nakopia had served as the UNM's political council chair and executive secretary, respectively. Melia served as the temporary head of the political council after being chosen as the party's leader in 2020.

Melia stated that the party's "active revitalisation process" will continue in both the Tbilisi and provincial sections.

As a basis for the changes, the opposition leader highlighted the issues facing the party and the country. He said that the party's agenda and structure needed to be drastically altered to strengthen its organisational system and better engage with the people.

“I want all Georgian citizens to know what we are fighting for,” Melia stressed, going on to underline the need for the party to appeal to undecided voters and to attract new members.