Vice-Speaker of the Parliament Archil Talakvadze on Friday characterized the latest decision of Nika Melia, the former chair of the United National Movement, to leave the party as an abrupt escape from an “impending catastrophe”.

Talakvadze, addressing journalists, emphasized that Melia's actions appeared inconsistent with his public statements and portrayed them as a strategic move rather than a thoughtful decision.

"Melia does everything backwards and contrary to what he tells the public," Talakvadze said. "We should also look at who Nika Melia is. Melia is a person who said he would not pay the fine and paid it, declared he would not enter the parliament and entered, and asserted he would not leave the party but ultimately departed."

Talakvadze pointed out what he perceived as a flaw in Melia's statement, interpreting it as an acknowledgment of behind-the-scenes dealings within the opposition. "There was another mistake in his statement; he said the main thing is the number. It was a kind of confession of the so-called trading of numbers within the opposition. The society and citizens are not perceived as an important part of our country; they are not viewed as a society that appreciates principles and remembers past actions. Instead, they only talk about the numbers inside," he commented.

The Vice-Speaker expressed concern that the focus on internal power dynamics could overshadow the needs and concerns of the broader public. "They are actually putting pressure on each other, but they forget that the overall pressure on this opposition is low," Talakvadze added.

In an announcement made yesterday, Melia revealed his decision to part ways with the UNM and disclosed plans to establish a new party dedicated to “advancing” Georgian democracy.