Georgia: parliamentary faction on verge of collapse due to scandal with Iberia

Nato Chkheidze, the founder of "Iberia" TV Company, has left the "Alliance of Georgian Patriots" Party, explaining it by the fact that the party had failed to support the TV Company in its conflict with the authorities. Ms Chkheidze's threatens to ruin the whole party's parliamentary faction.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that "Iberia" journalists accused the Georgian authorities of the economic pressure on the TV Company before the presidential election. The work of the TV channel was under threat after the stop of the tobacco factory and blockage of the bank accounts of the Omega Group, the main sponsor. The claims of the Ministry of Finance to the TV Company have to do with tax and excise debts on tobacco products. Human rights defenders demand to investigate the TV Company's case.

Ms Chkheidze's quitting the party will lead to collapse of the "Alliance of Georgian Patriots" faction, if they fail to find a replacement. According to the regulations of the parliament, each faction should have at least six MPs. With the collapse of the faction, Irma Inashvili, Deputy Speaker and the party leader will lose her post; and the party will lose its place in the parliament's bureau. Besides, deputy chairs of parliamentary committees from the party will also lose their posts.