Vote on Cabinet Shows Signs of New Faction in Parliament

The parliamentary vote on the reshuffled cabinet has demonstrated what is believed to be the first signs of an emerging new faction within the legislative body, which will be a parliamentary powerbase for the ex-defense minister, Irakli Okruashvili, Georgian media sources reported.

The reshuffled cabinet won by an overwhelming majority a confidence vote on September 7. However, one lawmaker from the ruling party, Teo Tlashadze, voted against and another, Ketevan Makharashvili, abstained ? a move which has been described by the media as a sign of their intention to defect the ruling party.

The media has long been speculating that these two lawmakers were among a group of MPs within the ruling party planning to set up a new parliamentary faction supporting the ex-defense minister. At least 10 lawmakers are needed to formally create a faction.

The vice-speaker of Parliament from the ruling National Movement Party, Mikheil Machavariani, said that Tlashadze?s position was a matter of concern for the ruling party. 

Disappointed by being shifted from the defense to the economy ministry last November, Okruashvili quit the cabinet. Since then there has been repeated speculation that he plans a political comeback, in which he would challenge the monopoly of the ruling party, but leave President Saakashvili himself unopposed.

Lawmaker Giorgi Tsagareishvili, who is currently in the moderate opposition Industrialist Party, last month said he intended to join Okruashvili?s planned political party and the possible new faction in Parliament.

MP Zurab Tkemaladze, the leader of the 10-member Industrialist parliamentary faction, said MP Kakha Rusia would join his faction after Tsagareishvili quits it, in order to prevent the faction?s breakup.

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