Initiative group of referendum for election of president by parliament registered by Georgia's CEC

On February 26, the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia registered an initiative group of three persons that had proposed to start collecting signatures in favour of election of the country's president by the parliament. For the incumbent president to appoint referendum, they need to collect 200,000 signatures within three months.

"We believe that the election of the president by the parliament is a more democratic process; and the model of a presidential republic had failed in Georgia," Gela Mestiashvili, a member of the initiative group, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Mikhail Machavariani, an MP and one of the leaders of the oppositional "United National Movement", said that so far it is unclear, in what way the upcoming presidential election of October 2013 will be held – through direct or indirect voting.

He believes that prior to making decision about Georgia's transition to the parliamentary republic it is necessary to ask the population. "Now, we see a process when the power is taken away," said the parliamentarian.

The ruling coalition "Georgian Dream" has reported about their intention to transfer Georgia to the classical model of parliamentarian republic, noting that the necessary amendments to the Constitution will be initiated after the presidential election this autumn.