Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has called on the opposition to constructively cooperate with the government and if they want debates, organize them in the state legislature instead of taking to the street. “We are ready for constructive cooperation,” Garibashvili said. 

He stated that the central government will cooperate with the only opposition mayor in Tsalenjikha, ‘exactly the same way as with other mayors.’ 

“He won the race and I congratulate him on the victory,” Garibashvili stated. 

He said that it is hard for the opposition to be defeated eight times by the ruling Georgina Dream dream in elections since 2012. 

However, stating that, ‘when people refuse to vote for you eight times, it should be a good lesson.’ 

Garibashvili said that after the ‘historic victory in recent municipal elections, the government will be focused only on the job. 

The ruling party has won 63 of 64 mayoral consitutieces in recent municipal election on October 2 and October 30, and received 47 percent of the vote in the proportional part of the elections. 

The opposition says that the elections were fabricated and are now demanding the annulment of results in rallies. 

They are also demanding the release of the arrested former president, Mikheil Saakashvili, who has been on hunger strike for 39 days. 

The Georgian Justice Ministry released a video on the weekend, showing Saakashvili eating fruit porriages, drinking fresh juices while on hunger strike. 

Saakashvili called the move ‘shameful’ and stated that he will not receive the food supplements recommended by doctors to maintain strength.