A parliamentary faction Strong Georgia–Christian-Democrats, uniting 12 members and comprising the parliamentary minority, was divided into two separate factions on October 27.
It was made possible as a result of relevant constitutional amendments envisaging the reduction of a minimum number of lawmakers necessary to set up a formal parliamentary faction from seven to six.
The new faction – Strong Georgia – chaired by MP Gia Tortladze will unite Gia Tsagareishvili, Paata Davitaia, Dimitri Lortkipanidze, Roman Marsagishvili and Roman Kopaliani.
Lawmakers from the Christian-Democratic Party are the members of the second faction, chaired by MP Giorgi Akhvlediani. Other members are: Giorgi Targamadze, Magda Anikashvili, Levan Vepkhvadze, Nika Laliashvili and Rati Maisuradze.
Both of the factions together make up a parliamentary minority group.
Both the formal faction and parliamentary minority give certain political privileges to its members – including the right to vote in the parliament’s bureau (the body which determines the parliamentary sessions’ schedule), guaranteed seats in committees, investigation commissions and parliamentary delegations.