It’s unreal Tbilisi mayor wants to resign and he’s stopped – political analyst Khukhashvili

Gia Khukhashvili, a political analyst, told Front News on Thursday that it “does not seem real” that Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze wanted to resign following the deadly incident in central Vake Park that killed one minor, and he was not allowed to do so. 

Khukhashvili suggested that the reports on Kaladze  “being stopped” to quit, served the goal to justify his decision to stay. 

“Kaladze is not free in his decisions, he is tied to a rope and cannot take serious steps in politics without directives, but I believe, in this situation, it seems unreal that he wishes to resign and is stopped”, Khukhashvili said, and noted that Kaladze was waiting for “benefits” from the post.  

Khukhashvili agreed with the view  that in case of resignation, similar to [former PM Giorgi] Gakharia, accusations of the ruling Georgian dream would arise against Kaladze, but he added that the case with Kaladze would be much more difficult.

“It will be a much more serious case. They [the ruling party] will have much more compromising materials against Kaladze. However, I believe that Kaladze wants to stay. It is his decision”, Khukhashvili said. 

Nine people have been arrested for the tragic incident in Vake Park, where a 13-year-old minor was killed in an electrocution incident in a newly renovated fountain and two others were injured. 

The deputy head of Tbilisi environmental protection service was arrested for professional neglect in the case, while the head of the agency resigned on Wednesday, citing “moral responsibility”.