(Tbilisi, January 28, Civil Georgia) – President Shevardnadze asked the Parliament to approve the 2002 budget as soon as possible.
In his traditional Monday radio broadcast President Shevardnadze stated on January 28, that the government would take into consideration all the realistic demands of the legislators by January 29.
Budget 2002 came under bitter criticism on January 25, when being reviewed by the Parliament in a second reading. None of the factions supports the current draft.
MPs argue that none of the changes proposed during the first reading were incorporated in a draft.
Parliamentarians voted for the controversial draft in a first reading in the beginning of January, on a condition to foresee increase budget spending in a number of areas, including defense and salaries for the teachers. IMF is against increased spending.