On Monday January 29, Irakli Garibashvili stepped down from his post as Prime Minister of Georgia.
“I clearly served our country, uncompromisingly defended the interests of our country and people, and I am proud of the results I achieved with the team during this period,” he told media.
Garibashvili served as the Prime Minister of Georgia from 22 February 2021, following on from Giorgi Gakharia. He had first served as prime minister from 20 November 2013 until his resignation on 30 December 2015.
“I would like to thank the founder and honorary chairman of our party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, the leadership and members of the party and the parliament, heads of ministries, and every employee- employees of the government administration, all civil servants, for the support provided during my work as Prime Minister,” Garibashvili said.
“I would like to say a special thanks to my wife, children, and parents for their support. I hope now I will have more time to devote to my family. I wish peace, prosperity and unity to our homeland. May God be our protector,” he said, before noting his plans to continue working in the Georgian Dream party and to actively participate in the election process and the development of the country.
According to the honorary chairman of Georgian Dream, Bidzina Ivanishvili, Garibashvili wanted to resign from the position of prime minister himself.
“What should I complain about? See what kind of man he is. He wanted it himself, I didn’t want it,” he told media.
The Constitution of Georgia states that should a prime minister resign or their authority be terminated, the government will continue to perform its duties until the appointment of a new prime minister, while the power of the prime minister ceases upon their resignation.
Parliament now has a two-week period to express confidence in a new prime ministerial candidate and the government team and program presented by him. The party with the best results in the elections has the right to nominate a candidate for the position of prime minister. In this regard, a change has been made in the charter of the Georgian Dream party, according to which the political council of the party will approve the candidacy of a prime minister after their nomination by the honorary chairman of the party, this being Bidzina Ivanishvili.
In order to receive confidence, the support of the majority of the full composition of parliament, in all 76 deputies, is required.
Prior to the PM’s official resignation, Imedi TV reported that Irakli Kobakhidze would replace Irakli Garibashvili as the Prime Minister.
The media outlet said the decision was made at the meeting of the Georgian Dream political council held on January 24, and would be made public after the party congress on February 1.
“According to our information, the acting chairman of the party, Irakli Kobakhidze, will be nominated for the post of prime minister, and Irakli Garibashvili will take the post of party chairman,” ImediTV announced. “In addition, Irakli Kobakhidze will also occupy the post of the Political Secretary of the Georgian Dream Party.”
Representatives of the ruling party kept quiet about this information throughout the week, calling it pointless “speculation.” Then, on Thursday, the news was confirmed: Irakli Garibashvili was elected Chairman of the Georgian Dream and Irakli Kobakhidze was nominated for the post of Prime Minister. Further, Irakli Chikovani will be nominated for the position of Minister of Defense, replacing Juansher Burchuladze, who said he wanted to move to another field.
By Team GT
