Tbilisi City Council Holds Inaugural Session

50-member new Tbilisi City Council, elected for a four-year term in the May 30 local elections, held its inaugural session on June 17.

Zaal Samadashvili of the ruling National Movement party was re-elected as the chairman of the Council, where the ruling party has 39 seats. Former vice-mayor of Tbilisi, Mamuka Akhvlediani, will be a deputy chairman and it has been decided to introduce two additional posts of deputy chairmen, which will be taken by opposition members of City Council.

A four-party coalition, Alliance for Georgia, which broke up after the elections, endorsed five of its members in the Council: Tina Khidasheli of the Republican Party; Davit Saganelidze of the New Rights Party; Natela Machavariani of Georgia’s Way; Zurab Abashidze and Victor Dolidze of Our Georgia–Free Democrats (OGFD) party, led by Irakli Alasania.

Christian-Democratic Movement endorsed three members: ex-TV anchor Inga Grigolia; Jaba Samushia and Zaza Gabunia.

Three-party coalition the National Council, which has also broke up after the elections, endorsed two members: Koba Davitashvili, leader of People’s Party and Kakha Kukava, one of the leaders of Conservative Party. Ex-PM Zurab Nogaideli’s party, which was also part of National Council, has no representation in the Tbilisi City Council.

Two additional posts of deputy chairman will be introduced after the Parliament amends law on the capital city. It is most likely that one deputy chair’s post will be taken by OGFD’s member and another by CDM’s representative.

Gigi Ugulava, who was re-elected as Tbilisi Mayor, told the City Council members on June 17, that he was ready for “positive cooperation” with the opposition members of the Council, based on principle of “participation with shared responsibility”.

“Our priority is employment and for the next four years my priority will be to deliver with my [pre-election] promises. I was elected as mayor in order to resolve unemployment, social and infrastructure problems; hence I am not going any political activities.” Ugulava said and added that his post was not about “creating a trampoline” for future political career.

The ruling National Movement party has retained majority in all other 63 town councils across the country as a result of the May 30 local elections.

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