Unofficial Reports: Cabinet Reshuffle Anticipated

Resignation of Finance Minister Valery Chechelashvili on June 29 promptly triggered media speculations about anticipated cabinet reshuffle, although President Saakashvili said on Wednesday that he plans no major changes in the government.

Georgian news agency InterPressNews and Tbilisi-based Imedi television reported unofficial information that Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli will again be appointed as Finance Minister, while Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili will take over the Prime Minister?s office. Vano Merabishvili, the Interior Minister will apparently replace Okruashvili as Defense Minister and Rector of the Police Academy Levan Izoria will become Interior Minister, according to this unofficial report. However, officials do not confirm this information.

President Saakashvili said while addressing the government?s session on June 29 that he is satisfied with the government?s performance and no major cabinet reshuffle is anticipated. ?We have a stable government,? he added.

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