Over 1 Mln. Georgians sign petition for President’s resignation

More than one million of Georgians, or about one quarter of the country's population, have signed a demand for the country’s president Mikheil Saakashvili to resign, the document’s authors said on Wednesday.

Under the constitution, which sets the presidential term at five years, Saakashvili’s presidency is due to expire five years after his inauguration, on January 20, 2013. However, the country’s next presidential elections are slated for October 2013.

“Under the constitution of Georgia, you, President Mikheil Saakashvili, lose your presidential powers starting from January 21, 2013, which is fully in line with the Georgian people’s will and is confirmed by Constitution of Georgia and signatures of the majority,” the document reads.

About 50 non-governmental and political organizations have joined the petition, which says “radical measures” will be taken if the president refuses to step down.

Rallies in support of the document have already been held in several Georgian cities.

Saakashvili’s supporters responded by organizing their own public campaign in support of the president.