Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze Resigns
Georgian Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze has announced resignation after yesterday’s developments in front of the parliament, when a peaceful demonstration turned into a clash between the demonstrators and police, injuring at least 240 people.
Kakha Kaladze, the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia (GDDG) announced about Kobakhidze’s resignation following today’s political council meeting, saying Kobakhidze’s decision is “expression of high public accountability,” and that GDDG does not share the agenda of “irresponsible, destructive forces.”
Kaladze allegedly referred to opposition, which demanded at yesterday’s demonstration the resignation of Speaker Kobakhidze, Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia and Head of the State Security Service Vakhtang Gomelauri.
He again reiterated that the ruling party is in solidarity with the rest of society in condemning the Russian delegation’s visit to Georgia. However, according to Kaladze, “these forces [referring to opposition] have to answer before the law and society for the organizing mass violence, which the Georgian population could watch on air till morning.”
GDDG’s Archil Talakvadze is expected to replace Kobakhidze.
The protesters raised the responsibility of the ruling party over today’s developments, and demanded resignation of Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia and Head of the State Security Service Vakhtang Gomelauri.
Tensions mounted around 10pm Tbilisi time, as the ruling party did not respond to demands. Part of the protesters broke through the first cordon of the police, but were pushed back by the riot police.
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