Georgia ruling party takes lead in local voting amid political crisis

FILE PHOTO: Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili speaks to the media at a polling station during the municipal elections in Tbilisi, Georgia October 2, 2021. Press Office of Georgian Government/Handout via REUTERS

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Georgia's ruling party has taken a commanding lead over the opposition United National Movement founded by former president Mikheil Saakashvili in municipal elections that have taken on national significance amid a protracted political crisis.

The public cast their votes on Saturday, a day after authorities arrested Saakashvili, who flew in from exile to rally support for the opposition.