President Holds Consultations over Constitutional Changes

President Saakashvili told reporters today that he holds consultations with Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze and Justice Minister Zurab Adeishvili over the constitutional amendments, stressing that the quick changes are vital as the country has no government now.

Entire government filed resignation on January 26, right after the inauguration of the new President of the country.

“Constitutional changes will be introduced by all means and Prime Minister will be Zurab Zhvania [the State Minister],” Mikheil Saakashvili said. 

He also said that the Parliament will not be weakened as a result of the new constitutional changes. “It will have means of control over the executive government,” the Georgian President said.

“As a result of the constitutional changes the Parliament will have the right to dismiss the cabinet,” Zurab Adeishvili, the Justice Minister told reporters.

“We will have European style of governance,” President Saakashvili said.

It is unclear yet whether the President will have the right to dissolve the Parliament or not. Earlier State Minister Zurab Zhvania said that the executive branch of the government should have the right “to dissolve ineffective Parliament.”

Nino Burjanadze said on January 22 that she will not be the Chairperson of “the weak Parliament,” sparking speculations that there is a disagreement between Saakashvili and Burjanadze over the constitutional changes.