The ruling Georgian Dream party says that Georgian ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili’s promise that he will return to the country ahead of the October 2 municipal elections ‘is a gift.’ 

“Through announcing his arrival Saakashvili boosted our rating by seven percent at least… Of course, his claims are not serious. It is for the seventh time he has made such a promise,” the ruling party head Irakli Kobakhidze said. 

Incumbent Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze stated ‘let him come,’ adding that if Saakashvili arrives, he will be held accountable. 

The ruling party MP Mamuka Mdinaradze says that ‘as it seems Saakashvili believes that Giorgi Gakharia is still a PM.’ 

Saakashvili left Georgia back in 2013. 

He is facing several charges in Georgia and if he arrives, the ruling party officials say, he will be arrested. 

Saakashvili currently is a citizen of Ukraine and is taking an official post there. 

He says he is not afraid of arrest ‘as the Georgian people will ensure my release.’