Georgia’s legislation: What happens when a Prime Minister resigns?

At 8pm this evening Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili announced his resignation.

According to Georgian legislation, when a Prime Minister resigns constitutional procedures must be followed. 

The Georgian Constitution states the Prime Minister of Georgia is the country’s main figurehead and leads the government, meaning he makes all of the main decisions for the country. The President is also a leader of the country however his role is slightly different. He is Georgia’s main foreign representative and head of the Georgian Armed Forces.

When the Prime Minister resigns, the power of Cabinet Ministers – 19 ministers of Georgia – is automatically suspended.

Within seven days of the Prime Minister’s resignation, the President of Georgia must name a new candidate for Prime Minister, which has been selected by the Parliamentary Majority. 

The Georgian Dream (GD) coalition is the Parliamentary Majority therefore it must name the new candidate.  

After this the new candidate for Prime Minister should name his/her chosen Cabinet of Ministers within seven days. The candidate for Prime Minister can maintain the previous Cabinet or change some ministers and present them before Parliament of Georgia for confirmation. 

The candidate for Prime Minister and the updated Cabinet of Ministers needs to be confirmed by the majority of Parliament Members, meaning they must gain at least 76 votes out of the 150-seat Parliament.

The GD coalition holds 85 seats in the legislative body. 

If Parliament of Georgia failed to approve the candidate for Prime Minister or the updated Cabinet of Ministers three times, the country’s President has the right to dissolve Parliament and appoint snap Parliamentary Elections.