Parliament suspends MP status for UNM head Melia

The Georgian parliament has suspended MP status for the head of the United National Movement (UNM) opposition party Nika Melia earlier today. 

 

79 MP in the 150-member state legislature approved the suspension. 

 

Melia requested the suspension of his MP status back on August 3, 2021 with the reason to get prepared for the October 2 municipal elections. 

 

The UNM party came second in the proportional part of the municipal elections in the recent poll, while Melia is also the second runner for Tbilisi mayor. 

 

The runoff between him and incumbent Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze will take place on October 30 as none of the candidates were able to receive 50+1 vote in the first round of elections.