Georgian Labor Party demands a ban president serving in key government posts after presidential term ends

Georgia, Tbilisi, Sept. 20 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /

The opposition Georgian Labor Party demanded Monday that an amendment is made to the constitution to prohibit the president from serving in key government posts, including prime minister, speaker of the parliament and others, in the five years after the end of presidential terms.

Proposed constitutional changes by the ruling party are aimed at keeping President Mikheil Saakashvili in power for life, Labor Party leader Shalva Natelashvili said at the news conference on Monday.

"No one doubts that bloody Saakashvili is going to prolong his dictatorship for an indefinite period through constitutional amendments by transferring the main prerogatives of the president to the prime minister and then privatizing the post," Natelashvili said. "Only constitutional amendments developed by us could stop this destructive process."

He called on opposition forces participating in discussions on the draft constitution to halt the impression that the constitutional commission takes their advice and comments into account.

"Do not allow Saakashvili to use you as a fig leaf," Natelashvili said addressing the parliamentary opposition and urging them to support the amendment proposed by his party.

Natelashvili has criticized the Council of Europe and Venice Commission for turning a blind eye to antidemocratic moves by Saakashvili.

"We affirm that under such a policy, the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission will be responsible for all subsequent events in Georgia," he said.

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