Sandra Roelofs Renounces MP Mandate

After defeat in the first round of majoritarian MP elections and withdrawal from the second round runoff, Georgia’s ex-first lady, Sandra Roelofs, who was number two on the United National Movement’s (UNM) party list of candidates, renounced her mandate gained under the proportional representation.

She has already filed a relevant appeal to the Central Election Commission (CEC) without giving specific reasons behind her decision. The National Movement said that the party respects her personal choice.

“It is her personal choice and we were informed about it in advance,” UNM’s executive secretary, MP Sergo Ratiani said.

The CEC said that election administration would be able to launch relevant procedures only after the new Parliament first endorses her MP credentials and then suspends her mandate through voting.

With 27.11% of votes garnered during the October 8 parliamentary elections, the opposition United National Movement will take 27 seats in the new Parliament. If MP credentials of Sandra Roelofs are suspended, her seat will apparently be taken by incumbent lawmaker, Giorgi Gviniashvili.

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