Georgia’s Ex-First Lady Refuses to Enter Parliament

TBILISI – Sandra Roelofs, a leading member of Georgia’s main opposition party the United National Movement (UNM) and estranged wife of Georgia’s ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili, has refused to take her seat as a member of Georgia’s newly elected parliament.

Roelofs addressed the Central Election Commission (CEC) on Monday and requested that her mandate was suspended.

The CEC responded to her request by saying only the parliament, not the CEC, had the authority to remove her from the active roster of sitting MPs.

“This decision cannot be made by the Central Election Commission. When the new parliament assembles, Roelofs can then ask to be suspended,” Ana Mikeladze, the CEC press speaker stated.

Roelofs, 47, a majoritarian candidate during the first round of Georgia’s parliamentary elections, refused to take part in October 30 run-offs after placing second in Zugdidi, the capital of western Georgia’s Samegrelo region.

She claimed that the elections had been falsified and taking part in the run-off would be an insult.

Roelofs is number two in the UNM’s party list. If her mandate is suspended she will be replaced by fellow UNM member Giorgi Gviniashvili, who is number 28 on the proportional party list.

 “A rejection of the mandate was Roelofs’ own personal decision,” stated Gigi Tsereteli, member of the UNM.

Most political analysts believe Roelofs opted to bow out after coming to the realization that most Georgians have a deeply unfavorable view of her husband, former President Saakashvili.

Roelofs and Saakashvili – who is now a Ukrainian citizen and, as of Monday, the former governor of the country's wealthy Odessa region – have been separated for several years.

“Roelofs wouldn’t do anything as an MP. Her decision to drop out of the parliament changes nothing,” Georgia’s Minister of Refugees, Sozar Subari stated.

The UNM totally gained 27 mandates in 150-member Parliament, where 73 MPs are elected in majoritarian, single-mandate constituencies and remaining 77 seats are awarded to MPs elected in proportional voting based on party lists.

By Thea Morrison

Edited by Nicholas Waller