One More MP Leaves Ruling Party

After three prominent members of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party – Eka Beselia, Levan Gogichaishvili and Gedevan Popkhadze quit the majority, one more MP Zviad Kvachantiradze decided to join them.

“I am joining a small group of friends who made the same decision for many reasons, not only because of the court issue,” Kvachantiradze said.

He noted that the controversial issue of appointment of judges and the recent developments around it had made him quit the majority.

“My decision is not pleasant, but I think it is the right decision before my compatriots, my friends.  However, the court issue was one of the biggest red lines that pushed me to take this step," he explained.

The Chair of the GD faction, Mamuka Mdinaradze, said Kvachantiradze will have to resign as the Chairperson of the Committee on Diaspora and Caucasus Issues, since he had been nominated for the post by the majority.

"Zviad Kvachantiradze named the anti-constitutional law, which was not supported by the majority, as a motive for his decision,” he added.

Since the prominent members of the ruling party quit, GD lost its constitutional majority in the legislative body, as it is left 110 chairs and 113 is necessary to have a constitutional majority in the 150-member parliament.

By Thea Morrison

Related stories:

Georgian PM: Georgian Dream Will Retain Majority

Parliament Speaker: GD Is “United”

Ruling GD Faces to Lose Majority after MPs Quit

MP Beselia to Create Political Platform