Independent presidential candidate says she is ready for runoff

Independent presidential candidate supported by the Georgian Dream ruling party Salome Zurabishvili says she is ready for runoffs at a briefing today.

In the first round of presidential elections held on 28 October she was supported by 38.64 per cent of voters. The election turnout was 45.4 per cent.

“What happened on 28 October is a victory. Someone might think otherwise, we might have expected more but being a leader in the first round of elections is a victory indeed. Despite the dirty campaign against me, defamation and unfair methods that are characteristic of the Russian approach, being in first place in the first round is equal to a victory”, she said, adding that the voters have to make their choice not between two candidates or parties now but between ‘two Georgias’.

Salome Zurabishvili thanked her supporters and said she is ready for a runoff with ‘Europe and the modern future of Georgia on her side’.

“I am ready because I believe in you - the people. I believe in your choice and wisdom. I believe you know what you want for Georgia. I am going to fight, we are all going together in this battle as we know that the truth is on our side, Europe is on our side and Georgia’s modern future is on our side,” she added.

The final results of the first round of the elections published by Georgian Central Election Commission (CEC) are as follows:

• Salome Zurabishvili 38.64 per cent.
• Grigol Vashadze, the candidate of 10 opposition parties- 37.74 per cent.
• David Bakradze, the candidate of the European Georgia opposition party- 10.97 per cent.
• Labour Party leader Shalva Natelashvili- 3.74 per cent.
• Leader of the Development Movement David Usupashvili- 2.26 per cent.
• Girchi opposition party leader Zurab Japaridze- 2.26 per cent.

The runoff vote will be held no later than 2 December.