Georgia's prime minister resigns amid criticism of his rapprochement with Russia. Irakli Garibashvili is trying to reinvigorate his party by resigning ahead of this year's parliamentary elections.

The president's turn away from the EU caused massive protests in the Caucasian country. The resignation coincides with the return of the party's founder, the pro-Russian oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is still considered the shadow leader of theParty.