Saakashvili suggests a referendum on the date of parliamentary elections in Georgia

President of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili who has announced that early election of the president of Georgia will be held on January 5, 2008, also suggests holding a parallel plebiscite about the date of parliamentary elections.

"For the second time already, at my own will, I'm cutting short my presidential term, and I do so as I think that Georgia is a democratic country. I think that January 5 will be a demonstration of people's will," Mr Saakashvili said in his TV address, as quoted by the RIA "Novosti".

Last night Mikhail Saakashvili signed a decree to introduce the state of emergency in Georgia for the period of 15 days. Restrictions on three points have been instituted: on reception and dissemination of information, on the right to hold demonstrations and assemblies and on the right to strike. In parallel, the authorities have introduced restrictions on the work of public transport and educational institutions.

As a result, the Georgian opposition has temporarily given up holding mass street actions and demonstrations under the state of emergency introduction in the country. The leaders of the opposition call their supporters not to participate in the meetings and not to resist the police because of a threat of wrongful application of force.