Georgian Constitutional Court weighing lawsuit over expiration of President’s term

The Constitutional Court began consideration of the lawsuit surrounding the expiration of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's term.

The leaders of the Resistance movement David Tarkhan-Mouravi, Soso Manjavidze and Irma Inashvili filed a lawsuit submitted to the Constitutional Court in connection with the expiration of the president's term on expedited basis.

The plaintiffs believe that Mikheil Saakashvili extended his term in office by nine months -from January 2013 to October 2013 - using constitutional amendments introduced in 2006.

According to the lawsuit, the Resistance movement's leaders are demanding the resignation of Saakashvili through having the constitutional changes that allowed him to stay in power deemed invalid.

On Tuesday, a court session will decide whether the Constitutional Court will consider the case on an expedited basis.

It is noteworthy that Georgian Parliament is listed as the defendant in the suit. This is because the questioned amendments to the Constitution were made directly by Parliament in 2006.

Manjavidze said the position of the majority of the population, once consideration of the lawsuit begins in the court will be interesting to learn. He does not rule out that protest rallies may be held if the Constitutional Court does grant a request on an expedited basis.

Manjavidze stated that usurpation of power by President Saakashvili through Parliament is a crime. There is no other normal country where presidential terms last for more than five years.