Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Ivanishvili Backtracks on Call for Georgian President's Resignation The winner of Georgia's parliamentary elections, Bidzina Ivanishvili, is backtracking on his call for President Mikheil Saakashvili to resign. Ivanishvili said Wednesday he was not issuing an ultimatum in asking Saakashvili to step down. Ivanishvili also offered to cooperate with the incumbent president on the formation of a new government. Earlier, Georgia parliament speaker David Bakradze said Ivanishvili's call violates the constitution, which requires the president to help the election winner form a new government. The Georgian Dream coalition led by Ivanishvili, a billionaire, won Georgia's parliamentary election on Monday. On Tuesday, Mr. Saakashvili conceded defeat and pledged to help the opposition form a new government. He will remain Georgia's president until his term expires next year. Under changes in the constitution, many of the president's powers will then transfer to a yet-to-be chosen prime minister. Ivanishvili is expected to take that post. __________________________________________________________________ [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/article/1519610.html References 1. http://www.voanews.com/content/article/1519610.html