Ruling party official says domestic opposition “free to renounce” parliamentary mandates

Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday said the domestic opposition was “free to renounce” their parliamentary mandates, as the legislative body held its first session following the general elections held last month.

“If anyone wants to write a statement [about rejecting mandates], now it is time to do so. [Then] we will make the appropriate decision”, the ruling party official said in reference to the opposition’s announced plans of boycotting the legislative body.

Mdinaradze further congratulated “everyone who voted for or against the ruling party” in the elections.

The important thing is for everything to proceed lawfully and orderly. The primary goal is to ensure that the functioning of institutions is not disrupted. In fact, there is not even a single flaw in the work of any institution”, he noted.

Mdinaradze also highlighted the 11th convocation of the Parliament had been formed, and powers of all MPs confirmed in the first post-election session on Monday.

The newly elected Parliament on Monday recognised the powers of all elected 150 MPs, with 88 votes in favour of the decision.