Early Presidential Elections?

Constitutional amendments proposed by President Mikhail Saakashvili are under discussion in parliament. The most controversial change would see the President's term shaved by several months, so as to align elections for the position with the parliamentary ballot in 2008. Hot on the heels of a strong performance by Saakashvili's National Movement party in local elections, opposition deputies consider the proposal an attempt by the president to consolidate his personal authority. Facing a strong majority government in parliament, which enjoys considerable support in the West, we expect the opposition will likely struggle to exert a great deal of influence, making an

To read the full article, please choose one of the following options: