Georgia First Movement Founded by Ivanishvili's Ex-Lawyer Becomes Political Party

The Georgia First initiative, founded by Viktor Kipiani, a former lawyer of billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, held its founding congress on June 28 in Tbilisi and officially became a political party. Kipiani was elected as the party's chair. The party describes its ideology as 'pragmatic right' and aims to build a 'thinking state.' Kipiani split with Ivanishvili in 2023 after the introduction of the controversial Foreign Agents Law. The party includes prominent figures such as former anchor Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani, diplomat Valeri Chechelashvili, and former Deputy Economy Minister Nikoloz Alavidze.