Early count in Georgia vote shows opposition leading in popular vote but final outcome unclear

TBILISI, Georgia – Early results in Georgia’s parliamentary elections show that opposition is leading the popular vote, but President Mikhail Saakashvili believes races for individual candidates could secure him victory.

Returns from more than one-fifth of precincts show the opposition, led by billionaire businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili, leading with 54.3 per cent of the popular vote.

While Saakashvili has acknowledged the popular vote Monday went to the Georgian Dream coalition led by billionaire businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili, he says his party could retain its parliamentary majority since nearly half of the seats are chosen in constituencies where his support is strong.

The outcome will determine the future of Saakashvili’s pro-Western government because of a constitutional reform that goes into effect next year giving parliament greater powers at the expense of the presidency.

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