Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

The parliamentary majority and minority in Georgia still have not agreed on the proposed changes to the constitution. The tensions began to escalate after the Georgian president's annual speech was postponed due to his refusal of recognition the constitutional changes limiting presidential powers.

Also, later President Mikheil Saakashvili made a proposal to conduct a dialogue with an aim to assess the developments and the situation in the country, its realization seems unreal after Parliamentary Speaker David Usupashvili's statement.

Saakashvili appealed to the parliament with an open letter on Feb.21 demanding compliance with the fifth paragraph of Article 73 of the Georgian Constitution and set a hearing date of the annual report of the president.

"The Georgian Constitution is the supreme law of the country, the observance of which is the primary responsibility of every citizen, including, first of all, the government. Therefore, we demand compliance with the Constitution of Georgia, which on one hand requires the head of state to address the representatives of the legislative authority and the public. On the other hand, it requires Parliament to listen to the President of Georgia. We assume that in the case of compliance with these norms, we could have avoided recent complications," Saakashvili`s letter reads.

Voicing his position, Speaker Usupashvili said that it will be possible to listen president at the parliament in late March, when "more important issues" will be resolved and if the parties can agree on the constitutional amendments limiting the president's authority.

"The parliamentary majority respects the constitutional right of the elected president and is willing to listen to him, however he [Saakashvili] must return to Parliament its right and waive the right to dissolve the popularly elected parliament and government. We want to know whether the President agrees to return rights to the popularly elected parliament and refuses from the limitations set by the Constitution and violating the rights of the MPs," Usupashvili said.

Meanwhile, it was reported that Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili considered this statement as refusal to dialogue.

Speaking on behalf of Mikheil Saakashvili, President's spokesperson Manana Manjgaladze said that Saakashvili's open letter contains only requirement - protection of the Constitution and holding negotiations in the Parliament.

"Dialogue is a conversation between the parties. The President wants to talk and hear the views of the MPs. That is why, we do not understand how the dialogue will be, if the president is not given an opportunity to speak and if the parliament does not want to talk. Behind the words of the Speaker, unfortunately, one can see only one thing - refusal to dialogue," Manjgaladze said.

She expressed hope that the parliament will return to this issue and will give an opportunity to the President to speak in the parliament.