Vice-Speaker Tsilosani slams former PM, opposition leader Gakharia over foreign residency and election participation

Georgian Vice-Speaker Nino Tsilosani has criticised former Prime Minister and opposition leader Giorgi Gakharia, saying he was “so reckless that he can live in another country and still ask for votes from our citizens.”

Tsilosani said Gakharia and his political group’s hesitation to finalise candidate lists and fully participate in parliamentary life reflected the pressures within the “radical opposition.” She further suggested that their eventual involvement in parliament was likely after the upcoming local elections.

Gakharia, leader of the party Gakharia for Georgia, confirmed that he had obtained residency in Germany, including the right to work. He described his decision to initially decline parliamentary mandates as a mistake, and said he did not rule out his party members taking up seats in parliament in the future.