UNM member Parulava says local self-government bodies ‘no longer function’

Lasha Parulava, a member of the opposition United National Movement’s Political Council, on Thursday claimed that local self-government institutions in Georgia, including municipal councils, “no longer function” and had been “captured” by ruling party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili.

“Local self-government, as the most important governing body, and in particular, the deliberative municipal councils, no longer function. This system has been seized by Ivanishvili,” Parulava said.

He added the role of citizens in these processes had been completely disregarded, as the opposition was excluded from participation and international observers, including the OSCE/ODIHR, did not assess the latest local elections as fair.

“Talking now about city councils, the duties of deputies, or their role in monitoring public institutions and municipal enterprises, is absurd,” Parulava stated.