Saakashvili Gearing Up for Prime Minister Position: Labour Party

Georgia has adopted a draft law on making amendments and additions to the country’s Constitution, which significantly reduces the powers of the president and instead transfers them to the prime minister and the government.

Parliament approved the constitutional amendments on Friday with 112 out of 150 votes in favor, 5 against. The amendments mean that the prime minister will be able to appoint and dismiss ministers, while the president will have a mostly symbolic role, similar to that of Germany, report various Georgian media. 

Note that the bulk of the rules of the new Constitution will come into effect at the end of 2013, when Saakashvili’s term expires. This fact has led critics and observers to note that the changes will benefit Saakashvili, who it is believed hopes to be elected prime minister when his term expires. 

The opposition Georgian Labour Party, for instance, objects to the amendments, stating that “acting president Saakashvili is preparing for a new post of prime minister who will be more influential than the president and the parliament,” reports Novosti Georgia.