Georgia's parliament has set January fourth as the date for an election to choose the successor for ousted President Eduard Shevardnadze.
The leader of the main opposition party, Mikhail Saakashvili, told reporters in Tbilisi today (Tuesday) that he and other opposition leaders hope to field a single candidate in the election.
Parliament is scheduled to meet again Thursday to consider a date for new parliamentary elections.
Georgia's acting president, Nino Burjanadze, has issued an order canceling the state of emergency imposed Saturday by Mr. Shevardnadze. Ms. Burjanadze said there were no reasons to impose the emergency order and therefore no reasons to leave it in effect.
Three key members of Mr. Shevardnadze's government have now resigned. Finance Minister Mirian Gogiashvili followed Minister of State Avtandil Jorbenadze in resigning Tuesday. Mr. Gogiashvili said he is unable to resolve Georgia's economic crisis. Interior Minister Koba Narchemashvili resigned on Monday.
Ms. Burjanadze told the government Tuesday the former Soviet Republic is on the verge economic collapse. She says new data indicate Georgia's economic situation is worse than previously thought and that radical measures and international assistance are needed.
Earlier Tuesday, Georgia's Supreme Court officially invalidated the results of the November second parliamentary election, which was marred by allegations of widespread fraud. The court decision means the previous parliament, elected in 1999, will remain in office until a new vote is held.