Georgia's Prime Minister-Designate To Quit Politics In 18 Months

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Georgia's Prime Minister-designate Bidzina Ivanishvili says he plans to quit politics entirely in just 18 months.

The billionaire-turned-politician told lawmakers in Kutaisi on October 24 that after stepping down he would become "an active member of civil society."

Ivanishvili was answering questions from President Mikheil Saakashvili's minority United National Movement.

The businessman, whose Georgian Dream bloc won a parliamentary election on October 1, said before the vote that he had no long-term political ambitions.

The Georgian parliament is expected to confirm the new government on October 25.

Based on reporting by AFP, Interfax, and ITAR-TASS