Georgia's Mikheil Saakashvili set to lose control of parliament The tycoon appeared to have weathered accusations that he is a stooge for Russian interests and capitalised on a prison abuse scandal which tarnished the ruling authorities over the last fortnight. While the exact outcome was unclear as the Daily Telegraph went to press, it was obvious Mr Saakashvili had suffered a heavy blow. The 44-year old US-educated lawyer became a favourite in Washington and European capitals after he swept away a desiccated post-Soviet elite in the 2003 Rose Revolution and took the presidency with 96 per cent of the vote the next year. A charming, dynamic figure he succeeded in stamping out street-level corruption, boosting the economy and cutting poverty, but his star began to wane in 2008 when he led his country into a disastrous war with Russia over breakaway South Ossetia. He has since been accused of losing touch with his democratic ideals and squashing dissent, charges he denies passionately. The president's supporters point to Mr Ivanishvili's inexperience - he was a unknown recluse until he declared his entry into politics a year ago - and insist they can further Georgia's economic revival after near collapse in the 1990s. Mr Saakashvili must step down as president next year under a two-term limit but he will be keen to preserve his legacy by easing an ally into the prime minister's office, which is due to be strengthened vis-a-vis the president. If both sides now insist they were triumphant in Monday's election, a stand-off and prolonged protests could result. A lurch in foreign policy is unlikely as both men advocate strong ties with the US and the EU, but Mr Ivanishvili has called for less "sabre rattling" with Russia. Western countries will be hoping for a peaceful outcome because Georgia is an important transit country for Caspian oil and gas destined for Europe. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the Nato Secretary General, said in Brussels, that "the parliamentary elections this year, as well as the presidential elections next year are a litmus test of the way democracy works in Georgia."