The Georgian parliament approved the draft of a new constitution in the first reading on Friday.
Of the 128 deputies who registered for the show of hands, 123 voted in favor and only four voted against.
The draft constitution reduces presidential powers and shares them between the government and the parliament.
The document, which has been under discussion for nearly two years, will be considered in detail on second reading, after which lawmakers will have a third reading to make editorial changes. No date has been set for either reading.
The new constitution will come into effect in 2013 after the 2012 parliamentary and 2013 presidential elections.
TBILISI, September 24 (RIA Novosti)
