TBILISI, DFWatch – The businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili is to form an election bloc and aims at running in next year’s parliamentary election in Georgia.

His allies are Irakli Alasania, leader of the Free Democrats, and Davit Usupashvili, leader of the Republican party, Ivanishvili’s press office told Dfwatch.

Several polls indicate that if the bloc survives until next October and is allowed to stand for election, it will be the first time in the country’s history that people have had the choice between two viable political alternatives.

According to Ivanishvili’s press service, the leaders have agreed that the coalition will be set up after Ivanishvili has managed to set up his own political party. This could take some time, since he is currently without a Georgian citizenship, which technically makes it illegal for him to engage in political activities. A court case is underway, and Ivanishvili is also pursuing other ways of reclaiming his citizenship, so he can establish a political party.

It is likely that the three will include other opposition groups later on as part of their line-up of candidates for parliament. According to the press office, the agreement envisages to continue the consultations with other politicians and organize joint activities.

In addition, an agreement has been achieved with Zviad Dzidziguri, head of the Conservative Party and Koba Davitashvili, People’s Party leader, who together with their teams will personally participate in the management of the coalition and help develop the structure of the new election bloc.