Saakashvili restores Georgian citizenship for rival Ivanishvili
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 16 October 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Saakashvili restores Georgian citizenship for rival Ivanishvili, 16 October 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/508907352d.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
October 16, 2012
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili (left) met with Georgian Dream leader Bidzina Ivanishvili in Tbilisi on October 9.
Georgia's presidential press office says Mikheil Saakashvili has restored Georgian citizenship to prime ministerial nominee Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Ivanishvili, whose Georgian Dream bloc defeated Saakashvili's long-dominant ruling party at the polls on October 1, was deprived of Georgian citizenship at the end of last year after it emerged that he also had French citizenship.
Ivanishvili, 56, gave up his French citizenship, but French authorities informed him that his citizenship could only be annuled once his Georgian citizenship was restored.
Ivanishvili named his cabinet picks on October 9, including Georgian ex-soccer star Kakha Kaladze, whom he nominated as the country's next energy minister.
Kaladze, who has never worked on state managerial posts, will also serve as one of two deputy prime ministers.
Based on reporting by apsny.ge and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
