Election of new president will eliminate division in Georgian society - Pushkov
MOSCOW. Oct 28 (Interfax) - Alexei Pushkov, the head of the Russian State Duma committee on international affairs, believes Giorgy Margvelashvili's victory in the presidential elections in Georgia will help overcome division in Georgia.
"Georgia was led by the president of a minority for several years. Saakashvili caused division in society. The election of Margvelashvili will eliminate this division factor," Pushkov told Interfax on Monday.
Pushkov believes Margvelashvili's election will have a positive effect on stability in Georgia.
Pushkov also believes it is "very dangerous" for Georgia's former president Mikheil Saakashvili to stay in Georgia.
Pushkov believes the future of Saakashvili and his decision on whether or not he should stay in Georgia and continue engaging in politics "depends on his consultations with his U.S. curators. He has never concealed that he is pro U.S.," he said.
Pushkov said Saakashvili's prospects are undermined by a lack of confidence from citizens, which was manifested by the election outcome, and also a chain of big scandals involving the torture of prisoners, suppression of rallies, etc.
Giorgy Margvelashvili leads the presidential elections in Georgia now that most of the ballots have been processed. He is followed by David Bakradze, a candidate representing the former ruling party.