Ex-PM Gakharia: If Saakashvili returns, this will be agreed with ruling party

Former prime minister of Georgia under the Georgian Dream (GD) leadership, current head of opposition For Georgia party, Giorgi Gakharia, says that if the country’s ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili really returns for the October 2 municipal elections in Georgia, it will be agreed with the GD. 

Gakharia, who is currently running for Tbilisi mayor and has been demonised by his former party, says that Saakashvili’s return ‘is in the interests of the ruling party.’

He says that the GD has successfully used Saakashvili ‘to frighten the people by the coming back of the United National Movement (UNM) to power’ and to mobilise voters for elections. 

Gakharia states that if Saakashvili is arrested after his return, ‘his release will also be agreed with the GD.’ 

Three days ahead of municipal elections, Gakharia said that ‘no cooperation between the UNM and his For Georgia party is possible.’ 

He also said that the ruling party will dissolve after municipal elections.