According to David Matikashvili, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Procedural Issues, the "Gakharia for Georgia" party has 10 members in its parliamentary faction because one of the party’s members, Jemal Ananidze, has also been elected to the Batumi City Council.

He explained that Jemal Ananidze must either renounce his City Council membership or his parliamentary seat, as being elected to the City Council is an incompatible activity for a member of Parliament.

"One member of Gakharia’s party, Jemal Ananidze, has been elected to the Batumi City Council. Accordingly, they must make a decision. Being elected there is naturally an incompatible activity for a member of Parliament, so he must either renounce his City Council membership or his parliamentary seat. Once they make their decision, the matter will be resolved accordingly," Matikashvili stated.

For reference, members of Gakharia’s party formed a faction in Parliament yesterday. The faction consists of 10 deputies. Jemal Ananidze is not among the faction members, though his mandate, along with those of other replacement members from Gakharia’s party, was recognized by Parliament.

As a reminder, Gakharia’s party holds 12 mandates in Parliament, but one deputy, Rusudan Tevzadze, refused to take up her mandate and left the party. It is currently unknown which member from the "Gakharia for Georgia" electoral list will replace Rusudan Tevzadze in Parliament. According to the party, discussions are ongoing, as some members on the electoral list are no longer affiliated with the party.