Premier-Designate Garibashvili Unveils Cabinet
The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party’s pick for Prime Minister, incumbent Defense Minister Irakli Garibashvili, on February 19 presented his cabinet of ministers, following consultations with the GD political council.
With Garibashvili’s nomination as Prime Ministerial candidate, his Deputy Juansher Burchuladze is set to take the helm of the Defense Ministry.
Deputy PM and Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure Maia Tskitishvili, who said she stepped down based on her initiative, will be replaced by her first Deputy Irakli Karseladze.
The following Ministers are set to retain their posts in Garibashvili’s cabinet:
- Minister of Foreign Affairs – David Zalkaliani
- Minister of Internal Affairs – Vakhtang Gomelauri
- Minister of Justice – Gocha Lortkipanidze
- Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development – Natela Turnava
- Minister of Finance – Ivane Machavariani
- Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture – Levan Davitashvhili
- Minister of Reconciliation and Civic Equality – Tea Akhvlediani
- Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs – Ekaterine Tikaradze
- Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport – Mikheil Chkhenkeli
Garibashvili was nominated as Prime Ministerial candidate yesterday by the ruling Georgian Dream party after Giorgi Gakharia’s controversial resignation earlier that day, citing disagreements with the rest of GD over opposition United National Movement Chairman Nika Melia’s coming detention.
The Parliament now has two weeks to endorse Garibashvili’s candidacy and his cabinet. The confirmation requires the support of 76 lawmakers of the 150-member legislature, where the Georgian Dream has 90 MPs. If the Parliament fails to confirm the new cabinet within four weeks, President Zurabishvili shall appoint new Parliamentary elections within a week.
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