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Georgian opposition may get 110 seats in Georgian parliament

Ivanishvili also stressed that Georgia would continue its course towards integration with the European Union and NATO if it wins the forthcoming parliamentary elections

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

TBILISI, October 2 (Itar-Tass) — The Georgian Dream opposition coalition is expected to get about 110 seats in the 150-seat Georgian parliament, according to results of almost all exit polls.

The coalition’s leader Bidzina Ivanishvili said in a live television interview on Monday that he expected the Georgian Dream to win 100 seats in parliament. “According to exit polls, the coalition will get at least 60 seats in 73 majority constituencies,” he added.

“The Georgian president has recognized that our coalition has the majority on party tickets. He’s practically recognized our victory on proportionate party tickets. Now, he will have to recognize our victory in most majority constituencies,” Ivanishvili said.

“But I can clearly say that we are not going to persecute dissidents or those who supported the policy of the present authorities,” Ivanishvili emphasized, adding that he was ready to cooperate with President Mikhail Saakashvili for the sake of Georgia’s state interests if the latter took a constructive stance.

“The Georgian president has in fact recognized the defeat of the ruling party. That will help him to somehow preserve the party’s cracked reputation,” Ivanishvili went on to say.

His remark practically excluded the possibility of impeaching the incumbent president if the Georgian Dream coalition wins the parliamentary elections.

Ivanishvili also stressed that Georgia would continue its course towards integration with the European Union and NATO if it wins the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

“Foreign politicians, diplomats and public figures have often asked me what policy Georgia will pursue if the coalition wins the elections. I’ve always answered and I am saying that now that it will continue its course towards integration with the European Union and NATO,” Ivanishvili said.

Earlier on Monday, he also stressed the need to improve relations with Russia. “We are going to improve our relations with Russia. It’s our duty to restore friendly relations with Russia. We will do everything to achieve this goal,” Ivanishvili told Itar-Tass.

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