Georgia, Tbilisi, Oct. 12 / Trend N. Kirtzkhalia /
Five members of the Tbilisi representative body of local self-government Sakrebulo from the United National Movement (UNM) Party have joined the Georgian Dream coalition. Irakli Shihiashvili reported this at a press conference on Friday saying they made this decision because they do not agree with the political platform of United National Movement.
Shihiashvili said that besides himself, Misha Kavtaradze, Giorgi Nemsadze, Merab Rapava left the United National Movement. Zaza Dolidze has joined them today.
"We do not agree with the position of the Mayor of Tbilisi and the pre-election campaign," Shihiashvili said. "Others will join our group faction." The faction will be called Freedom and Shihiashvili will be its head.
Parliamentary elections with the participation of 14 parties and two political blocks took place in Georgia on October 1. They were held under a mixed list-majority system.
Around 150 MPs must be elected - 77 on the lists (a passing barrier of five per cent) and 73 in single-seat constituencies.
According to complete preliminary CEC data, the Georgian Dream coalition will have 83 deputy mandates and the United National Movement- 67.
According to the party lists, around 44 members will join the Parliament from the Georgian Dream coalition, while 33 will be from the United National Movement.
According to the single party districts, Georgian Dream will get 39 seats, while United National Movement - 34.