Georgia, Tbilisi, Feb. 4 / Trend, N. Kirtzkhalia /
The Georgian parliamentary majority is urging its minority opponents to support proposed constitutional amendments that limit Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's powers. This statement was voiced by Majority Leader David Saganelidze at the office of the ruling Georgian Dream Party today.
"This is a historic moment, when all MPs must make a choice - whether they are for the people and their representation in the parliament, or for Mikheil Saakashvili, who alone can decide the fate of the country and dissolve the government and the parliament elected by the people," a statement said.
The document pointed out that the president's power must be limited and he does not have the right to decide the fate of the people.
New amendments to the constitution which will be discussed in Parliament this week, envisage limiting the president's powers to dissolve parliament and government, as well as the return of the parliament from Kutaisi to Tbilisi.
The parliamentary majority does not have the 100 of 150 votes necessary to make a decision. However, Georgian Dream's supporters hope to persuade several minority members.
"Adopting these constitutional amendments will be a victory of the Georgian people over the authoritarianism being spread by a powerful president with unlimited power. Each MP must answer to the country, their children and their futures," a statement said.
Saganelidze called on opponents to attend TV debates to discuss the changes being made to the constitution. He said that president of the Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio supported the idea of adopting constitutional changes to limit the President's powers during his visit to Georgia on January 30-31.