Party Quits Opposition Coalition

Paata Davitaia, a leader of small political party, On Our Own, which was part of the nine-party opposition bloc, said on May 26 he had quit the coalition over disagreement on tactics.

Davitaia said that although he fully agreed with the coalition’s decision to boycott the new parliament, he was strongly against the plans by the coalition to set up “an alternative parliament.”

Davitaia, who has been elected MP under the coalition’s ticket, said while speaking at a late-night political talk-show, Primetime, aired by Rustavi 2 TV: “I fully agree that we should not enter this parliament, which has been elected through rigged elections. But I can never agree on creating any alternative structures in the country… I want to reiterate that I am saying no to my parliamentary mandate.”

With this latest decision the coalition has now turned into the eight-party opposition bloc.

Other leaders from the bloc said, while commenting on Davitaia’s decision the most important was that On Our Own party remained committed to the pledge not to enter the new parliament.