SAAKASHVILI TO RESIGN NOVEMBER 22
PanARMENIAN.Net
09.11.2007 15:13 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The political crisis in Georgia has shown the first
signs of receding as opposition figures have overwhelmingly welcomed
President Saakashvili’s decision to call snap presidential elections
for January 5.
Mikhael Saakashvili will, in accordance with the constitution, have
to resign 45 days ahead of polling day – on November 22.
Parliament Speaker Nino Burjanadze will assume act as President until
the results of the January 5 elections are announced. She used to
hold the post after the resignation of Eduard Shevardnadze up to
Saakashvili’s inauguration in January 2004.
"The president’s recent address is of historic importance," Salome
Zourabichvili, ex-foreign minister and leader of Georgia’s Way Party,
said. "This was the only right decision and the country will definitely
benefit."
She also said that the international community "has played a vital
role" in this process. "Our western partners have demonstrated that
they are not friends of one particular government, but are friends
of the entire country and Georgian democracy," Zourabichvili added.
The ten opposition parties which led the recent protest campaign signed
a manifesto on October 17, which, among other principles, includes
a commitment to support the establishment of a parliamentary system.
Two opposition parties – the New Rights and Industrialists – both
outside of the ten-party opposition bloc – have not, however, signed
the manifesto.
MP Davit Gamkrelidze, the New Rights leader, has also welcomed
President Saakashvili’s decision to hold snap elections and has
reaffirmed his intention to run.
Other opposition politicians with declared presidential ambitions
include Salome Zourabichvili, leader of Georgia’s Way Party and Gia
Maisashvili, leader of Party of Future. Zourabichvili, however, is
ineligible due to a fifteen year residency requirement. She has only
lived in Georgia since 2003, Civil Georgia reports.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
