Winner of parliamentary elections in Georgia demands to return Georgian citizenship

Georgia, Tbilisi, Oct. 2 /Trend N. Kirtskhalia/

Georgian billionaire, leader of the opposition coalition "Georgian Dream" that won the parliamentary elections, Bidzina Ivanishvili demands to return him Georgian citizenship. He gave a week to the authorities for returning him "illegally taken away the citizenship of Georgia".

"The case of depriving me of citizenship is in stuck. Before the election I did not transfer this case to Strasbourg. I appeal to the authorities to give the court opportunity to make a justice decision and returned me within a week illegally taken away citizenship," he said at press conference on Tuesday.

However, he stressed that without citizenship can be confirmed as prime minister.

"The parliament elects the prime minister, we will have the majority and this problem will not exist," -Ivanishvili said.

Parliamentary elections were held in Georgia on a mixed - list, majority system. Around 150 MPs must be elected - 77 on the lists (a passing barrier of five per cent) and 73 - single-seat constituencies.

Parliament will receive more authority in 2013 after amendments to the Constitution take effect resulting in the president's power being reduced.

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