2013-05-08 A new Mayor of Poti appointed by the Poti District Council on January 11, 2013, did not deny the fact that his nomination was acceptable to the majoritarian MP, and added that he is among her favorites. The MP, herself, stressed that she could not possibly influence the decision of the District Council as the majority of the council members were the representatives of UNM. The matter was further complicated due to the resignation of the Chairman of the District Council, who named the inability of the council to appoint a Mayor as a reason for his resignation. Link:http://goo.gl/yjG8y

2013-01-11 On August 3 Mayor of Poti Vakhtang Lemonjava resigned as he was running in parliamentary elections. Sakrebulo did not announce a competition for filling the vacant position. On October 31 activists of the Georgian Dream staged a protest rally outside Poti City Hall, demanding appointment of the Georgian Dream’s candidate as Mayor. Eventually, on November 7 Sakrebulo extended the term of authority for Davit Khomeriki, Acting Mayor of Poti, for one more year. The ordinance has been appealed in court. on December 27 Sakrebulo announced a competition for the vacant position of Poti Mayor. The competition board was chaired by Sakrebulo Chairperson Davit Babilua. Out of the 44 applications initially submitted for the vacant position, the board found that 40 were incomplete and shortlisted three candidates from the Georgian Dream – Zurab Dondoladze, Davit Sarsania, Besik Jojua and an independent candidate Badri Davitaia. On January 11, the only candidate nominated by the board, Davit Sarsania, was supported by absolute majority of Sakrebulo Members, including members of the faction UNM. Davit Sarsania joined the coalition Georgian Dream from the National Forum.