Leader of UNM faction in Tbilisi City Council leaves party, depriving it of a majority

The chairman of the National Movement faction in the Tbilisi City Assembly, Koki Ionatamishvili, is leaving the party.

"I want to inform the public that I have decided to leave the United National Movement party, as recent processes have convinced me that the party is unable to cope with the challenges it faces; despite my expectations, it has not undergone transformation or renewal and, in the end, it is not a tool in the struggle for a better Georgia," he is quoted by News-Georgia.

The politician added that he plans to continue his activity as an independent candidate.

This impact is particularly painful for the party, since with the departure of Ionatamishvili, the faction is reduced to 23 members amongst 47 and thus loses its absolute majority.