Georgia election: Salome Zurabichvili in the lead – polls

Ms Zurabichvili votes Image copyright EPA Symbol caption Ms Zurabichvili favours balancing Georgia’s family members with Russia and the West

Exit polls in Georgia recommend that Salome Zurabichvili, backed by the ruling Georgian Dream celebration, has beaten a united opposition candidate in a presidential run-off.

Ms Zurabichvili, a former French diplomat, gained at least FIFTY FIVE% of the vote, Edison Research and Gallup polls say.

She leads Grigol Vashadze, an best friend of ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili.

A new charter is due to come into drive, making the role of president in large part ceremonial.

Ms Zurabichvili favours balancing Georgia’s family members with Russia and the West whilst Mr Vashadze – who was once overseas minister throughout the 2008 war between Georgia and Russia – is observed as extra professional-Western, Reuters mentioned.

Image copyright EPA Image caption Mr Vashadze is noticed as more professional-Western

But The vote may be seen as a trademark of the way parliamentary elections in 2020 may just go.

Western international locations also are observing the vote in a rustic looking for Eu Union and Nato membership.

The competition has complained of balloting irregularities and attacks on its campaigners, but this has been denied via the ruling celebration. International observers said the primary round of vote casting ultimate month used to be held on an “unlevel playing field”.

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