Saakashvili Comments on MP By-Election Results

President Saakashvili described October the 1 MP by-elections as a huge success for the authorities and said that the opposition parties suffered ?catastrophic results? in these polls which were held in five single-mandate constituencies to fill five vacant seats in the Georgian Parliament.

The ruling National Movement party?s MP nominations won the race in all five constituencies, according to the early results of the Central Election Commission.

?The opposition had catastrophic results? [The opposition] has been defeated in all five constituencies? This means that the weakness of the opposition is a fact. This is not good. Every government, even the most successful, needs a strong, constructive and responsible opposition,? Saakashvili said.

He also said that those in ?some countries? who have been predicting the ?fall of Saakashvili?s government? for several months are now frustrated. ?These elections were convincingly, absolutely hope-giving,? he added.

?Our people have demonstrated [through these elections] that the government exists, that it is strengthening,? the Georgian President said.

Saakashvili said that he also respects the opinion of the minority parties. ?It is high time to find a consensus [between the political forces],? he added.

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