Georgian lawmakers allow Ivanishvili to take part in presidential elections

The Georgian Parliament adopted an amendment to the country's constitution on Tuesday allowing EU citizens to participate in parliamentary and presidential elections in the country as voters and candidates, allowing Georgian-born billionaire businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili to stand as a candidate in the polls, RIA Novosti reports.

Ivanishvili, also known as Boris, does not have a Georgian passport but holds French citizenship.

He once held Georgian nationality but he lost it when he was granted a French passport, as Georgia does not allow dual citizenship. The Russian authorities also deprived Ivanishvili of his Russian citizenship at his request.

The new rule will be in force until 2014, allowing those who meet the requirements to take part in the 2012 parliamentary and 2013 presidential elections.