In mid-February, activists and supporters of the United National Movement (UNM) announced that a broad collection of signatures had begun across the country, pressing for a presidential pardon for Mikheil Saakashvili, the former Georgian president who led the country for six years. The initiative was reported by several outlets, including the publication Vzglyad, which tracked the campaign and its momentum across regions.
According to Sofia Japaridze, a representative for Saakashvili, the organizers planned to deliver the collected signatures to the current president, Salome Zurabishvili, on March 1. The aim was to prompt a decision described by supporters as historic that could restore Saakashvili’s political standing and potentially absolve him of ongoing legal challenges that his supporters view as politically motivated.
Japaridze framed the moment as a clear choice for the nation, describing it as a decision between light and darkness. The rhetoric underscored the deep partisan divide surrounding Saakashvili’s legacy, as his supporters argued that his record in office had been marked by reform and modernization, while his critics pointed to legal cases and accountability concerns that have shadowed his return to public life.
Saakashvili returned to his native Tbilisi in October 2021 after facing multiple criminal cases that his supporters have labeled politically driven persecutions. His appearance in the capital led to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment on various charges. Throughout the imprisonment, Saakashvili initiated a hunger strike, asserting that his detention had become an instrument of political manipulation. His condition deteriorated over time, and in May 2022 he was moved from a prison facility to a clinic in the capital for medical evaluation. He has repeatedly stated his willingness to re-enter the political arena when circumstances allow, signaling a long-term commitment to public service despite the legal and health challenges he faced.
The United National Movement has signaled that it would not rule out nominating a candidate for the prime ministership in the event of a successful election bid. The party views Saakashvili’s experiences and leadership as part of a broader conversation about Georgia’s direction, security, and reforms. The political debate surrounding his case has touched on issues of judicial independence, accountability, and national sovereignty, especially in light of Georgia’s strategic position between Europe and the broader region.
Historically, Saakashvili’s role in shaping Georgia’s post-Soviet trajectory has been pivotal. Even as opponents question the legality of certain actions during his presidency, supporters highlight his efforts to integrate Georgia with Western institutions, advance anti-corruption measures, and pursue reforms within the public sector. In this context, the activist movement behind the pardon drive is seen by many as a barometer of public sentiment about leadership accountability and the ongoing process of political reconciliation in Georgia. Some observers note that the pardon debate could influence parliamentary dynamics, electoral strategies, and the balance of power among rival factions in the next round of national elections. The outcome is thus viewed as having potential implications not only for Saakashvili and his party but for Georgia’s future policy course and its relationships with regional and international partners.