Irakli Zarqua, Deputy Chairman of Tbilisi City Council (Sakrebulo), refuses to replace Vano Zardiashvili in Parliament, Irakli Zarqua has announced today.

According to the Deputy Chairman of Tbilisi City Council, he has decided to stay in his position.

"It is a great honor and challenge for anyone, including me, to become the member of the parliament. However, since I was elected deputy chairman of the capital city council just a month ago, I have some responsibility and have made a decision to stay in the council and at this stage, I refuse to become a member of the parliament,” Zarkua said.

MP Vano Zardiashvili of the Georgian Dream announced today about his plans to renounce his MP mandate citing “dirty, negative campaign” and “black PR” against him as the reason behind his decision. Vano Zardiashvili is followed by Irakli Zarkua in the ruling Georgian Party list. It means Zarkua should replace Zardiashvili in Parliament.