On 7 September, Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated that Saakashvili would be allowed to return to the country in order to run as a candidate for Georgia’s Prime Minister.

“Let him come! There is nobody and nothing that can obstruct the country’s stability and normal electoral process,” he said.

Meanwhile, Saakashvili unveiled his plans that if “United Opposition” won the elections, he would serve only 2 years as Prime Minister. “The United National Movement and a number of other people have raised the issue of nominating me for the Prime Minister’s post. I've thought about it a lot and I'm ready to take on this function, but not because I miss the power. I really do not miss it and I want to tell you that I will be the Prime Minister not for a full term, but for a maximum of 2 years. These 2 years will be enough to pull the country out of the swamp and move forward very quickly. I am sure of it,” he said.

He pledged that if he arrives in Georgia, he would not cause any confrontation or unrest in the country. “It is very important that everything be peaceful. I handed over power peacefully and I am really not going to come to power as a result of unrest,” he said. 

Saakashvili’s nomination for the Prime Minister candidate was received with mixed feelings. One of the leaders of European Georgia Giga Bokeria made critical statements regarding the decision, while Georgia’s  Vice Prime-Minister and Justice Minister Tea Tsulukiani stated that Saakashvili should expect ‘arrest procedures’ upon crossing the Georgian border (Caucasus Watch reported).