Georgian Dream expels 49 opposition MPs
On February 5, at a so-called plenary session of Parliament attended by representatives of Georgian Dream and People’s Power, the mandates of 49 opposition MPs were officially suspended.
The discussion centred on suspending mandates for members of the Unity-National Movement, the Coalition for Change, and Strong Georgia. However, Gakharia – For Georgia, the fourth party that surpassed the electoral threshold, did not submit a request to the legislative body for the termination of its mandates.
Nika Gvaramia, a leader of the Coalition for Change, stated that the Parliament is illegitimate based on the results of the October 26 elections. He added that for the coalition, “participation in this Parliament would mean complicity in illegitimate actions.”
Similarly, Tina Bokuchava, a leader of the Unity-National Movement, reaffirmed that the coalition does not recognize the legitimacy of the elections and, therefore, refuses to accept parliamentary mandates.
Members of the Strong Georgia coalition also submitted statements to the Central Election Commission requesting the termination of their mandates.
Meanwhile, Berdia Sichinava, one of the leaders of Gakharia – For Georgia, emphasized: “When we say we are not entering Parliament, we mean it. Have we attended any parliamentary sessions, committee meetings, or delegations? Do we receive a salary for this activity? What exactly do they want from us? The main issue is whether the Parliament itself lacks legitimacy. Its legitimacy is not determined by whether Badri Japaridze or Mamuka Khazaradze retain their mandates. Parliament was illegitimate before February 5, and it will remain illegitimate after February 5.”
Khazaradze: Parliament Has 101 MPs, Raising Questions About Gakharia’s Party
On February 7, Mamuka Khazaradze, the leader of the Strong Georgia coalition, held a special briefing where he addressed the composition of the Georgian Parliament. He pointed out that while Georgian Dream officially holds 89 mandates, the total number of MPs currently recorded on paper stands at 101—raising concerns about the role of the Gakharia – For Georgia party.
“The individuals gathered at 8 Rustaveli Avenue are entirely incapable of legislative activity. With the cancellation of opposition mandates, the number of so-called MPs is now reduced to 89, making it practically impossible for the country to pass any legitimate decisions,” Khazaradze stated.
He further outlined the voting thresholds required for key parliamentary decisions:
- 113 votes are needed for a single-term Parliament to amend the Constitution or ratify certain international treaties.
- 100 votes are required for a second-term Parliament to amend the Constitution, impeach the president, or approve land sales to foreign citizens.
- 90 votes are necessary to approve amendments to the Concordat, elect Constitutional Court judges, appoint members of the Council of Justice, or select the Public Defender.
Khazaradze also expressed suspicion that Gakharia – For Georgia is secretly supporting the Georgian Dream, which he referred to as a “Russian government.”
Japanese Media: Eldest Son of “Georgian Putinist Dictator” Meets Georgian Ambassador
The Japanese media outlet Shūkan Bunshun reported that on January 26, the eldest son of the so-called “Georgian Putinist Dictator”, Bidzina Ivanishvili, met with the Georgian Ambassador to Japan, Teimuraz Lezhava, at a restaurant.
The publication also released a photograph of the meeting, showing Ambassador Lezhava, while the face of Ivanishvili’s eldest son, Uta Ivanishvili, was deliberately obscured.
According to Shūkan Bunshun, the meeting lasted approximately an hour. At the end of the encounter, Lezhava reportedly handed Ivanishvili a large black bag and said, “Don’t open it here, I hope it will be useful to you.”
The article also highlights that after the U.S.-sanctioned Bidzina Ivanishvili, his son Uta established a new joint-stock company in Japan, Atu Holdings. The publication suggests that the company may have been created to conceal assets from sanctions. This information was first reported by Radio Liberty in January 2025.
Additionally, Shūkan Bunshun interviewed an acquaintance of Uta Ivanishvili in Japan. The source described him as an ordinary young man interested in video games, particularly Mafia. The acquaintance also mentioned that Ivanishvili frequently visits bars for social gatherings, actively uses social networking sites and dating apps to expand his circle, and has hosted parties for his Russian friends at his home on multiple occasions.