The presidential race was a partial referendum on former president Mikheil Saakashvili. Some low-information voters took that literally, voting for a fringe candidate with a similar name.
The United National Movement’s strong showing is a comeback of sorts for former president Mikheil Saakashvili, who still leads the opposition party from exile.
The church said it is taking its time in formulating a response to the schism, while senior ecclesiastical officials have come out on both sides of the conflict.