Georgian president approves amendments to Constitution

The president of Georgia, Mikhail Saakashvili, has signed the bill "On changes and amendments to the Constitution of Georgia", that prescribes mixed governance, RIA Novosti cites the president's press service.
The new model constitution presupposes a reduction in the president's privileges and their distribution between parliament and government. In addition, judicial power becomes more independent.
The measures for the new constitution will be put into operation step by step. Some will come into force 15 days after its publication, the main part will be in place by the end of 2013, after the next presidential elections.
Amendments will be made to over 160 laws to harmonize them with the new constitution.