Chairman of Batumi City Council from National Movement Replaced

Yesterday, Irakli Chavleishvili from Republic Party was elected to be chairman of Batumi City Council. Former chairman Giorgi Kirtadze intends to appeal to the court.

The issue of Giorgi Kirtadze on suspending his authority on the position was discussed at the special session of the City Council yesterday. 14 out of 15 council members voted for Kirtadze’s resignation. Only former member of the National Movement Genadi Tebidze was against it. “I did not vote for his resignation because of his personality,” he said. 

The City Council elected the new chairman at the same session yesterday. Every council member attending the session voted for his candidature.

“Nobody shall accept this fact painfully. We must leave our trace in Batumi with our good work. The main point is that my colleagues, who had been under oppression for many years from senior officials, are now free from it,” Irakli Chavleishvili said.

Former chairman Giorgi Kirtadze did not attend the session. He told media he intends to appeal to the court. “Many procedural violations occurred when new chairman was elected and we will definitely appeal to the court. It was not positive fact. On October 1, 2012 United National Movement had 18 members in the Batumi City Council and now their number has reduced to 8. So, those ten people believe that we have destroyed Batumi instead constructing it and it is shame,” said the former chairman.

15 out of 23 members of the Council attended the special session. Only one of them Nodar Dumbadze represented the National Movement. However, he left the session before ballot started. Dumbadze said the Georgian Dream had gained council members over. “The issue was discussed through serious violation of the law. Some council members were even threatened.”

After the Batumi City Hall has new chairman, the mayor will also be replaced in the city. Zurab Pataraia is nominated to be the candidate for the position; currently he is head of MP Murman Dumbadze’s office in Batumi.

 

Maka Malakmadze, Adjara