Local elections will be held not later than June 1, 2010, according a draft of constitutional amendment formally initiated on December 1.

The President has to announce an exact date of local elections not later than 45 days before the election day. President Saakashvili offered in July to hold local election on May 30, 2010, instead of originally planned autumn, 2010.

The same draft will reaffirm a decision that Tbilisi mayor will be elected through direct elections, instead of current practice when elected City Council (Sakrebulo) elects mayor.

The rule of direct election of mayor will only apply to the capital city, despite a pledge by President Saakashvili made in his speech at the UN General Assembly in September that “all mayors” in other four major cities – Kutaisi, Batumi, Rustavi and Poti would be elected through direct elections as well.

The draft constitutional amendment, which has been endorsed by the state constitutional commission, will be voted in the Parliament after a formal procedure of month-long public discussions.