The opposition Republican Party said it deemed “inexpedient” resignation of public TV’s board chairman, Irakli Tripolski, suggesting that the move of this type could further increase the state grip on the television.

“Under current conditions it is extremely important to use all, even minimal chances to confront the state propaganda machinery,” the statement issued by the Republican Party reads. “The Republican Party appeals the members of the board to direct their efforts towards providing the impartiality of the channel and not to allow restoration of full state control over the public TV.”

Irakli Tripolski has resigned on May 27 citing “biased reporting” of the public TV. He told Civil.Ge that he thought the Georgian Public Broadcaster was “not objective” in particular in covering the opposition’s May 26 protest rally, but he “had no power to change anything.”