MP Quits Ruling Party

MP Zurabishvili says he had disagreements with the policies of ruling National Movement party.

Zurabishvili’s decision comes after he was criticized by his colleagues from the ruling party for condemning MP Koba Bekauri for the latter’s role in the arrest of co-founder of 202 TV Shalva Ramishvili. Zurabishvili also demanded that Bekauri’s alleged wrongdoings related with the customs terminal Opiza be discussed at the session of the National Movement’s parliamentary faction. MP Bekauri is also deputy chairman of the National Movement’s parliamentary faction.
 
“I have different opinions and a understanding about honesty. I always tried to be loyal and observe this principle. However, when someone tries to hide the wrongdoings of a party member, especially when his activities are very suspicious for society, this the same kind of clannish policy we fought against during the Rose Revolution,” Zurabishvili told reporters on August 30.
 
Reportedly, Zurabishvili will also resign from the position of Deputy Chairman of the parliamentary faction and Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Science and Sport. Zurabishvili made no statement regarding his possible cooperation with another political party.
 
Another MP from the ruling party, Elene Tevdoradze, also questioned MP Koba Bekauri’s activities and demanded from that her colleagues from the National Movement launch probe into his alleged wrongdoings.

But influential parliamentarian from the National Movement Giga Bokeria criticized Zurabishvili and Tevdoradze’s position as “irresponsible.” MP Giga Bokeria and MP Davit Zurabishvili were long-time colleagues even before becoming parliamentarians, as both of them worked for human rights advocacy NGO Liberty Institute.

Zurabishvili also stated that the Ramishvili vs. Bekauri case was not the only reason for his decision to quit the party, as recently he had some other disagreements with the policies thereof.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)