Ruling party lawmakers argued on May 3, that President Saakashvili’s remarks a day earlier urging for giving him “two, three, four more years”, implied a need to continue policies of present authorities in general.
“In these words President meant that the course, which is directed towards economic development, carrying out democratic reforms and infrastructural development, should continue,” MP Akaki Minashvili, chairman of parliamentary committee for foreign affairs, told Civil.ge.
When asked whether the remarks were indicating on President Saakashvili’s willingness to stay in power through becoming a prime minister after his second and final term in office expires in late 2013, MP Minashvili repeated the same remarks about the need to carry on with the current course.
Another ruling party lawmaker, Shota Malashkhia, who chairs parliamentary ad hoc commission on territorial integrity, also said that the reference was made to continuation of the current policies.
“It is about continuation of our course towards Europe, NATO, continuation of reforms, accomplishment of infrastructural projects, launching the process of de-occupation with the rest of the world, minimization of unemployment,” he said.
When asked the same question whether the remarks were a reference to Saakashvili’s post-presidency plans, MP Malashkhia responded: “Any direction can be read [out of these remarks] for the purpose of continuation of the current course.”
President Saakashvili told an audience gathered in a theater in Kutaisi on May 2 to give him “two, three four more years” and he would turn previously famous spa resort of Tskaltubo in western Georgia into the best place in Europe.
“Tskaltubo was the best place in the entire former Soviet Union. I guarantee you: give me two, three, four more years and you will see that I will turn it into the best place in the entire Europe,” Saakashvili said.
Saakashvili’s second and final term in office expires in late 2013; he, however, can become prime minister, whose authority will significantly increase after the new constitution goes into force following the 2013 presidential election.
Saakashvili has always been noncommittal about his post-presidential plans and remained evasive every time when asked whether he would eye prime ministerial post or not.