What happened in city councils after Free Democrats left Coalition Georgian Dream?

Lado Bichashvili, Shida Kartli

In Gori City Council, after two members of the Free Democrats Tamar Tedliashvili and Davit Tsetsvadze left Coalition, Georgian Dream became minority. 

8 out of 15 city council members were from Georgian Dream; 7 deputies represented opposition parties. After the Free Democrats left the coalition, it caused changes in the city council – Georgian Dream now has only 6 deputies and opposition parties have nine deputies there.

Tamar Tedliashvili, member of Free Democrats: “Free Democrats from Gori have jointly left the Coalition Georgian Dream. We independently continue implementation of the goals and aims of Free Democrats.”

Tamar Tedliashvili made the above statement on November 7 before the session of the Gori City Council started. At the session Tamar Tedliashvili already acted as an oppositionist deputy by asking more questions about concrete issues.

As the city council intends to start discussion of the next year budget at the next sessions, Georgian Dream and city mayor hope for constructive cooperation with former party-mates.

Nino Zurabishvili, deputy chairperson of Gori city council: “The unity is essential not according to the party membership but according to the clarity of the draft budget; we do not expect problems unless situation is artificially complicated.”

Zurab Jirkvelishvili, Gori mayor: “We do not discuss foreign relations, army or police budget here. Our budget is oriented at our population and I am sure every member of the council cares about people’s fate.”

Free Democrats left majority fraction in the municipal board too; however Georgian Dream’s majority did not have problems there.

Khatuna Khatashvili, member of Free Democrats: “I will defend the ideology and principles that are acceptable for our party. I will continue work as ordinary member of the municipal board and try to better expose problems and priorities of the district.”

Six members of Kareli municipal board left Free Democrats and joined Georgian Dream. They said the reason of their decision was statement of former defense minister. Only Natia Gochashvili remained in the local office of Irakli Alasania’s political party.

Jumber Shubitidze, deputy chairman of Kareli municipal board: “I think Irakli Alasania made wrong decision. So, I decided to leave the party and fraction because I cannot see my role there now.”

Free Democrats left the political party in Kaspi municipal board too and joined majority of the Coalition.

As for Khashuri district, members of Free Democrats left majority and joined minority of the municipal board. Like in Gori, Georgian Dream faced problem of strong majority in Khashuri district too.