In a statement issued on September 11, influential tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili said that he refused to run for the Tbilisi mayoral office because of the existing election code, which he described as undemocratic.

In the statement which was read on a Patarkatsishvili-owned Imedi TV’s news program, the tycoon says that by refusing to run in the elections he wanted to prevent a confrontation with the authorities.

“My participation in the municipal elections and possible victory could have triggered a confrontation and even a split in the governmental structure and Georgia’s enemies could have taken advantage of this situation,” Patarkatsishvili said.

“But my refusal to run in the elections does not mean that I am refusing to take part in the political discussions,” he added.