'No ministers from current government will retain office'

No ministers from current team of Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili will become a member of new government, including the premier Ivane Merabishvili, the leader of election winning Georgian Dream party Bidzina Ivanishvili stated on Tuesday at a briefing in Tbilisi.

He stressed that not only ministers, but also their deputies will not be able to retain office.
Ivanishvili didn't exclude the possibility that Mikheil Saakashvili will make an attempt to dissolve parliament in half a year.

"I haven't thought about it yet, though we wonder if he is going to take this step. I suppose he will not have possibility for such a maneuver," he noted.
In addition, Ivanishvili advised the Georgian president to resign and announce early presidential elections.

"We could certainly start the impeachment process or find some other ways, but I expect him to resign," he stated.

Ivanishvili stressed that if Mikheil Saakashvili will not leave his position, the coalition will find a way to resolve the situation, this is why it's better for him to resign.

"Otherwise a constitutional crisis may occur, because the new constitution requires a dual power, and now the situation is very complicated.

Ivanishvili underlined that Mikheil Saakashvili's resignation and announcement of early presidential elections will be the way out of this situation.

"I haven't expected Saakashvili to confess his loss and join the opposition, but if he has made such a statement, we are expecting his resignation," Ivanishvili added.

Parliamentary elections were held in Georgia on a mixed - list, majority system. Around 150 MPs must be elected - 77 on the lists (a passing barrier of five per cent) and 73 - single-seat constituencies.

Parliament will receive more authority in 2013 after amendments to the Constitution take effect resulting in the president's power being reduced.


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