Freedom Square (political party) explained

Freedom Square
Native Name:თავისუფლების მოედანი
Colorcode:
  1. 118dc1
Leader:Levan Tsutskiridze
Foundation:1 July 2024
Ideology:Pro-Europeanism[1]
Country:Georgia (country)
Colors: Sky Blue
Position:Centre
National:Strong Georgia (since 2024)
Seats1 Title:Seats In Parliament

Freedom Square (Georgian: თავისუფლების მოედანი|tr) is a political movement) in Georgia founded by political scientist and civic activist Levan Tsutskiridze.[2] It is competing in the 2024 parliamentary election under the Strong Georgia coalition's electoral list.

History

On 1 July 2024, Levan Tsutskiridze announced the formation of a new political movement, 'Freedom Square', with its members including Bakur Kvashilava, Simon Janashia, Davit Gzirishvili, Irma Zoidze, Zurab Parjiani, and Giorgi Shaishmelashvili.[3] [4] [5] Tsutskiridze, formerly the executive director of the Eastern European Centre for Multiparty Democracy, became prominent during protests against the "foreign agents' law".[6] [7]

The movement was formed to compete in the upcoming 2024 parliamentary election. It supports the Georgian Charter offered by President Salome Zourabichvili that sets out the goals of a future government.[8] On 17 July 2024, Freedom Square, along with Lelo for Georgia and For the People announced their unification under a single election list for the upcoming elections in October.[9] [10] Subsequently, the alliance was named "Strong Georgia". Later in August, the Citizens party also joined the alliance.[11]

Ideology

Freedom Square's manifesto is committed to protecting what it sees as Georgia's national interests, achieving EU membership candidate status, and defeating the Georgian Dream government through elections. The movement supports state intervention in the economy seeing it as a way to right some wrongs. It is in favour of free school lunches for all public school kids. Freedom Square additionally supports LGBT rights and gender quotas on the political party's electoral lists.[12]

Electoral results

Parliamentary

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Parties, Parliaments and Polling Averages: Georgia . .
  2. Web site: Levan Tsutskiridze .
  3. Web site: 1 July 2024 . Civic Activist Launches New Political Movement: 'Freedom Square' . Civil Georgia.
  4. Web site: 2 July 2024 . The political movement "Freedom Square" was founded . Yazidis.info.
  5. Web site: 1 July 2024 . ლევან ცუცქირიძე პოლიტიკურ მოძრაობას ქმნის . Netgazeti.
  6. Web site: Eastern European Centre for Multiparty Democracy/EECMD .
  7. Web site: 17 April 2024 . მოვითხოვოთ, რომ გამოვიდეს პრემიერ – მინისტრი და დაგველაპარაკოს"- ლევან ცუცქირიძე . Georgian Times.
  8. Web site: 26 May 2024 . Georgian Charter: President Proposes Unified Goals for Short-Term Parliament, Technical Government . Civil Georgia.
  9. Web site: 17 July 2024 . Lelo party, Ana Dolidze and Freedom Square unite . Georgian Public Broadcaster.
  10. Web site: 18 July 2024 . Another pre-election political alliance formed in Georgia . JAMnews.
  11. Web site: 12 August 2024 . Citizens leader joins Strong Georgia coalition . 24 August 2024 . Georgian Public Broadcaster.
  12. Web site: 5 July 2024 . Livecast Levan Tsutskiridze, Freedom Square . Civil Georgia.