Movement of New Forces

Movement of New Forces (Ukrainian: Рух нових сил, Rukh Novykh Syl) is a Ukrainian political party that was founded as the "Party of Harmonious Development"[5] on February 11, 2015 and renamed in February 2017 by Mikheil Saakashvili.[nb 1]

Movement of New Forces

Рух нових сил
ChairmanMikheil Saakashvili
FounderMikheil Saakashvili
Founded23 February 2017 (2017-02-23)
HeadquartersMuzeinyi Ln, 4
01001 Kiev
Membership (February 2018)3,000[1]
IdeologyLiberalism[2]
Pro-Europeanism
Anti-corruption[3][4]
Political positionCentre-right
Colours     Blue      White
Verkhovna Rada
0 / 450
Regions
0 / 158,399
Website
rns.org.ua

History

After autumn 2015 attempts and negotiations were launched to form a political party around then Governor of Odessa Oblast Mikheil Saakashvili and members of the parliamentary group Interfactional Union "Eurooptimists", Democratic Alliance and possibly Self Reliance. This project collapsed in June 2016.[3][nb 2]

On 11 November 2016, Saakashvili announced the establishment of a new Ukrainian political party.[8][9] This was done four days after he resigned as Governor of Odessa Oblast, blaming President Petro Poroshenko personally for enabling corruption in Odessa and in Ukraine overall.[10][nb 3][13]</ref> On 27 November 2016 this party (now named Movement of New Forces[14]) held its first rally in Kiev.[15] In August of that same year Saakashvili was allegedly in talks to create another liberal party with ex-deputy general prosecutors Vitaly Kasko, David Sakvarelidze, MP Viktor Chumak, and others.[16] In July 2016, Chumak stated that a future party called Wave would be led by Saakashvili.[17]

In late February 2017, the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine registered Movement of New Forces officially as a political party.[18] On 24 December 2016, Saakashvili claimed that the new party had "already registered 25,000 members."[19][nb 4]

In April 2017, the party Volia and Movement of New Forces announced they would merge.[9] At the same time, according to Saakashvili, nine Ukrainian mayors joined this new association.[9]

In July 2017, the Movement of New Forces and the political movement Spravedlivost of Valentyn Nalyvaichenko created a "joint action headquarters".[21]

On 26 July 2017, President Poroshenko issued a decree stripping party leader Saakashvili of his Ukrainian citizenship.[22] In Ukraine only Ukrainian citizens can lead political parties or be elected to its parliament.[23] David Sakvarelidze became the acting party leader.[24]

In October 2017, the Committee of Voters of Ukraine prepared an appeal to the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption with a request to check the activities of 21 parties including the Movement of New Forces and Our Ukraine because of the presence of signs of shadow financing. The reason for initiating the verification of the Movement of New Forces was the lack of reporting on the Agency's website for the second quarter of 2017.[25][26]

After Saakashvili (after being first deported to Poland) relocated to the Netherlands in February 2018 he only has an advisory role in the party.[27][28][nb 5]

In December 2018 the party Volia reversed its decision to merge with the party. Volia party leader (and member of the Ukrainian parliament) Yury Derevyanko stated Volia would not merge because Movement of New Forces leader Saakashvili was more interested in his native Georgia then in Ukrainian politics.[30] Derevyanko also claimed that 90% of local council members of Movement of New Forces had joined Volia.[31]

On 29 May 2019 Saakashvili returned to Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelensky returned his Ukrainian citizenship; but Saakashvili soon stated that he had no political ambitions in Ukraine.[32]

The party in June 2019 stated it intended to run in the late July 2019 Ukrainian parliamentary election.[33] On 23 June 2019 the Central Election Commission of Ukraine refused party members to register for the July parliamentary election because allegedly the 10 June party congress had violated the party’s statute.[34] Two days later the Administrative Court of Kyiv overturned this Central Election Commission decision.[35] On 19 July 2019, the leader of the Movement of New Forces party Mikheil Saakashvili called on his supporters to vote for the Servant of the People party at the 2019 parliamentary election.[36] At these elections, Saakashvili himself was first on its party list[37], Movement of New Forces failed to win any parliamentary seats gaining 0.46% of the total votes while the election had a 5% election threshold (43.16% voted for Servant of the People).[38] The party also failed to win a constituency seat.[39] It had participated in 9 constituencies[40] where its most successful candidate's election result was 2.54%, the second best candidate gained 1.8%.[40] Viola also did not win any parliamentary seats in the election.[39]

Management

The party's Political Council includes Mikheil Saakashvili, Yuri Derevyanko, David Sakvarelidze and Olga Galabala.

Political positions

In April 2017 party leader Saakashvili proposed "building of a large wall" to "temporarily isolate ourselves" from the separatist Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic in order to "concentrate on the rest of Ukraine."[41] Saakashvili is confident in the return under control of the Ukrainian Government of these separatist territories, but only "after we defeat corruption and begin rapid development."[41]

Early June 2019 party leaders Sakvarelidze and Saakashvili stated that the party wanted "to support the new wave brought by the team of (recently elected) Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky".[42][43]

Scandals

On December 5, 2017, Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko stated that Saakashvili had received half a million dollars from Ukrainian oligarch Serhiy Kurchenko for organizing protests. It was stated that Kurchenko provided funds to seize Saakashvili's power in Ukraine and expected that in return criminal cases would be closed and control over his assets restored.[44] Records of Saakashvili allegedly talking to Sergei Kurchenko have been released.[45] Saakashvili denied the allegations.[46] Three criminal proceedings were registered on the facts of the protests of December 17.[47]

Notes
  1. In May 2017 a Ukrainian political party "Mikheil Saakashvili Bloc" was also officially registered; but Saakashvili has no involvement with this party.[6] "Mikheil Saakashvili Bloc" was founded by Dmytro Holubov whom was at the time a member of the Ukrainian parliament for Petro Poroshenko Bloc.[7]
  2. In an April 2016 opinion poll held by Sociological group "RATING", about 10% of those polled were ready to support a party built around Saakashvili.[3]
  3. On 13 February 2015, Saakashvili was appointed by President Petro Poroshenko as head of the International Advisory Council on Reforms – an advisory body whose main task is working out proposals and recommendations for implementation and introduction of reforms in Ukraine based on best international practices.[11] On 30 May 2015 Poroshenko had appointed Saakashvili Governor of Odessa Oblast (region).[12] On the previous day, 29 May 2015, he was granted Ukrainian citizenship by Poroshenko.<ref name='Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty MNF'>"Saakashvili Confirmed As Governor Of Ukraine's Odesa Region". RFE/RL. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  4. In a November–December 2016 opinion poll held by SOCIS and Sociological group "RATING" 4.1% of people polled stated that they would vote for the Movement of New Forces in a hypothetical early election although the party had not yet been officially registered.[20]
  5. In a May 2018 opinion poll held by Razumkov Centre and Democratic Initiatives Fund 0.6% of people polled stated that they would vote for the Movement of New Forces in a hypothetical early election.[29]
gollark: VHS? Isn't that... quite old?
gollark: Never mind, I used the "search" function and styro said it would be revisited "later on" back in February.
gollark: I think the flashlight thing was impractical somehow?
gollark: Neat.
gollark: I mean, raspberry pi cluster computers aren't very good if you actually need high performance, they're more of a learning tool.

References
  1. Anastasia Vaslova (18 March 2018). «Марш за майбутнє»: як у столиці мітингували прихильники Саакашвілі (ФОТОРЕПОРТАЖ). Hromadske.TV (in Ukrainian).
  2. Mikhail Minakov; Isaac Webb (15 August 2016). openDemocracy (ed.). "A new party for Ukraine's euro-optimists?".
  3. "Difficulties of ambition. Why young politicians can not agree on a single party". Ukrayinska Pravda (in Ukrainian). 4 July 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  4. Deutsche Welle, ed. (11 November 2016). "Ex-Georgian leader Mikhail Saakashvili plans new party in Ukraine, wants early elections".
  5. "ПОЛІТИЧНА ПАРТІЯ РУХ НОВИХ СИЛ МИХАЙЛА СААКАШВІЛІ". opendatabot.ua. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
  6. (in Ukrainian) In Ukraine, a party Saakashvili without Saakashvili, Ukrayinska Pravda (23 May 2017)
  7. (in Ukrainian) Saakashvili met with the same Petrenko, Ukrayinska Pravda (30 May 2017)
  8. Saakashvili Announces New Political Force, Calls For Early Ukraine Elections, Radio Free Europe (11 November 2016)
  9. (in Ukrainian) Saakashvili has teamed up with the party "Freedom", Espreso TV (19 April 2017)
  10. Georgian Saakashvili quits as Ukraine Odessa governor, BBC News (7 November 2016)
  11. "Saakashvili Appointed as Head of Ukraine's Int'l Advisory Council on Reforms". Civil Georgia. 13 February 2015. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  13. "УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ № 301/2015 - Офiцiйне представництво Президента України". President.gov.ua. Archived from the original on 2 June 2015. Retrieved 2015-06-02.
  14. Saakashvili announced the title of his party – the “Movement of new forces”, Ukrop News 24 (19 November 2016)
  15. Saakashvili Holds Rally In Support Of New Political Movement In Ukraine, Radio Free Europe (28 November 2016)
  16. A new party for Ukraine’s euro-optimists?, openDemocracy (15 August 2016)
  17. (in Ukrainian) Saakashvili's allies create a new party “Wave", Deutsche Welle (July 18, 2016)
  18. (in Ukrainian) Saakashvili officially registered party, BBC Ukrainian (28 February 2017)
  19. (in Ukrainian) Saakashvili names the number of people in his Union of New Forces, Ukrayinska Pravda (24 December 2016)
  20. Poll shows seven parties would qualify for Ukrainian Rada if elections were held early, KyivPost (14 December 2016)
  21. Week’s milestones. Calculated escalation, overhaul by Groysman, and imitation of mobilization, UNIAN (25 July 2017)
    NOLAN PETERSON: THE TOP SPY WHO IS FIGHTING CORRUPTION IN UKRAINE, Newsweek (20 January 2017)
    Nalyvaichenko and Saakashvili's political strength will create the joint platform, Booktable (24 July 2017)
  22. "Ukraine strips citizenship of ex-Georgia leader Saakashvili". Associated Press. ABC News. 26 July 2017. Archived from the original on 26 July 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
    "Georgia ex-leader Saakashvili stripped of Ukraine's citizenship". BBC News. BBC News. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
    "Saakashvili May Be Forced To Seek Asylum In United States, Legislator Says". The Financial. The Financial. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  23. Ukraine president strips one-time ally Saakashvili of citizenship, Reuters (26 July 2017)
  24. Would-Be Reformer Saakashvili Cast Out of Ukraine, Spiegel Online (18 August 2017)
  25. "KIU calls on Nazka to check the activities of the 21st party-VOU "Voter Committee of Ukraine"". www.cvu.org.ua.
  26. "NAPC is asked to check "shadow revenues" 21 lots" (in Ukrainian).
  27. Bennetts, Marc (12 February 2018). "Georgia's former president deported from Ukraine to Poland". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
    Former Georgian president arrives in Netherlands after Ukraine deportation, Xinhua, 14 February 2018
  28. (in Ukrainian) Without Miho. What is happening in the Saakashvili party after its deportation, Ukrayinska Pravda (June 22, 2018)
  29. (in Ukrainian) The two parties are on the verge of passing barriers, Ukrayinska Pravda (June 14, 2018)
  30. (in Ukrainian) Derevyanko said that he was leaving the Saakashvili party, Ukrayinska Pravda (24 December 2018)
  31. "Derevyanko betray Saakashvili? The MP left the Movement of New Forces". Glavcom (in Ukrainian). 24 December 2018.
  32. "Sakvarelidze tells why Saakashvili refuses to head "UDAR"". Glavcom (in Ukrainian). 7 June 2019. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
  33. https://m.glavcom.ua/news/sakvarelidze-rozpoviv-chomu-saakashvili-vidmovivsya-ocholiti-udar-600139.html
  34. Snap elections: Central Election Commission refuses to register candidates from Saakashvili’s party, 112 Ukraine (23 June 2019)
  35. Суд в Киеве отменил решение ЦИК об отказе партии Саакашвили в регистрации на выборах
  36. "Саакашвілі закликав прихильників віддати голоси за "Слугу народу"". LB.ua (in Ukrainian). 2019-07-19. Retrieved 2019-07-20.
  37. Election of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine 2019 RNS M. Saakashvili Single-mandate simple majority system, 21.07.2019; Proportional system, 21.07.2019, URK.VOTE
  38. Servant of the People Party wins 124 mandates on party ticket in Rada elections, Interfax-Ukraine (5 August 2019)
  39. CEC counts 100 percent of vote in Ukraine's parliamentary elections, Ukrinform (26 July 2019)
    (in Russian) Results of the extraordinary elections of the People's Deputies of Ukraine 2019, Ukrayinska Pravda (21 July 2019)
  40. Political Party "Movement of New Forces of Mikheil Saakashvili", URK.VOTE
  41. Saakashvili proposes new "wall project' for Donbas, Interfax-Ukraine (12 April 2017)
  42. https://m.glavcom.ua/news/sakvarelidze-rozpoviv-chomu-saakashvili-vidmovivsya-ocholiti-udar-600139.html
  43. https://m.glavcom.ua/topics/dovibori/saakashvili-ruh-novih-sil-samostijno-bratime-uchast-v-parlamentskih-viborah-600354.html
  44. "Саакашвілі отримав півмільйона доларів від Курченка - глава ГПУ". www.ukrinform.ua (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2020-06-11.
  45. "ГПУ показала запис розмов Саакашвілі і Курченка". Українська правда (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2020-06-11.
  46. "Оголошений у розшук Саакашвілі оприлюднив під Радою свій план". Радіо Свобода (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2020-06-11.
  47. "Поліція порушила справу через спробу захоплення Жовтневого – Аброськін". ТСН.ua (in Ukrainian). 2017-12-17. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
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