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Irakli Alasania today launched his campaign for mayor of Tbilisi saying that he had no time for "endless talks" with other opposition parties and that he was in the elections "to win".

The former UN ambassador was handed a rugby ball and told his job was to "score a try by grounding it in the mayor's office".

Speaking at a rally organised by civil society organisations Alasania said of his attempts to forge a wide unity in the opposition: "Of course, there differences, which were not possible to overcome; talks have been held; we have exchanged opinions, but it was revealed during the dialogue that we cannot lose time any more… We can not waste time any more."

The rally saw signs of real enthusiasm for the fight ahead with a large crowd cheering the announcement of Alasania's candidacy.