Saakashvili called an early presidential election for January 5, 2008

PanARMENIAN.Net - Georgia's President Mikhael Saakashvili on Thursday called an early presidential election for January in an attempt to defuse Georgia's bitter political crisis and strengthen his hold on power.



The vote had been due to take place in late 2008, but Saakashvili said the vote would be held on Jan. 5 "to gain the trust of the people."



Saakashvili's decision came a day after riot police violently dispersed opposition protesters who had rallied in the capital for a week to demand his ouster. The pro-Western president then imposed a state of emergency and banned all news broadcasts except state-controlled television.



"My compromise is that the opposition is given a chance to get elected by the people, if they have the support," Saakashvili said calling on international organizations to send 'as many observers as they can'.



He proposed holding a referendum simultaneously with the presidential vote on when to hold parliamentary elections. The parliamentary elections had been due to take place in late 2008, but the opposition wants an early vote next spring, AP reports.



Wednesday evening Georgian President Mikhael Saakashvili signed a decree on establishment of state of emergency in Tbilisi.



The measure has followed an attempt of coup d'etat, State Minister Zurab Noghaideli said.



"The edict imposes limitations on conduction of demonstrations and calls for violence, shift in power and organization of disorders," he said.



Mr Noghaideli said the state of emergency will cover Tbilisi only. At that "freedom of speech is not restricted" while "usual media work" will be resumed after the order in the republic is established. However, national emergency spear all over Georgia on Wednesday night.