Saakashvili’s quit to ease polarisation, strengthen opposition – Girchi MP Khvichia

The possible decision of imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili to leave politics will ease political polarisation in Georgia and allow opposition parties to strengthen, Girchi opposition MP Iago Khvichia said Wednesday. 

He suggested that “both Georgian politicians and the members of the United National Movement party, should encourage Saakashvili” to leave Georgian politics,noting that the move would also allow the UNM to “recover”. 

Khvichia suggested that Saakashvili has turned the UNM “into a paralyzed political structure”. 

Saakashvili’s lawyers said last week that the former President had plans to resign from the country’s political life to look after his health. 

However, the third President has not officially announced his decision so far. 

Saakashvili, who currently holds IUkrainian citizenship, was arrested in Tbilisi last year, after eight years in political exile.