The leader of the party 'Free Democrats', former Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania, refused to participate in the second round of parliamentary elections. He decided to temporarily retire from politics.
"Wherever I go, I'll stay a Georgian soldier. I will be included in both the international and local processes, " Alasania said at a briefing, commenting on his decision.
"Thanks to everyone who supports us. The party will continue to work actively to meet the elections to the local self-governments with the updated structure," Sputnik-Georgia cited him as saying.
The former head of the Defense Ministry took part in the parliamentary elections in the Gori district as a majority candidate. According to CEC preliminary data, he received 19.38% of votes in the first round.
In 2002 he was appointed the deputy minister of Georgia's state security. From 2006 to 2008 Alasania represented Georgia at the UN. In 2009, he founded the political party Our Georgia – Free Democrats. In 2012 Alasania was appointed the Minister of Defense, a position he held until 2014.
