PM announces six new Ministers, one pending

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibahsvili has introduced six new Cabinet Ministers Nominees this evening, while one position still remains vacant.

The moves comes following a mass dismissal of seven Ministers – five of whom were fired and two were moved into new Ministerial duties.

PM Garibashvili announced the following people as the country’s new Ministers Nominees:

• Giorgi Mgebrishvili, former Kvemo Kartli regional Governor, as Minister of Corrections;
• Davit Shavliashvili, former head of Roads Department, as Minister of Infrastructure;
• Otar Danelia, ex-Deputy Minister, as Minister of Agriculture; and
• Gela Dumbadze, ex-Deputy Minister, as State Minister for Diaspora Issues.

The PM also moved two Ministers into other duties. He introduced:

• Sozar Subari, former Minister of Corrections, as Minister Refugees and Accommodation; and
• Elgija Khokrishvili, former Infrastructure Minister, as Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.

No Culture Minister nominee was named today. The PM said authorities were still discussing several candidates and the final decision would be revealed tomorrow morning at the latest.

Garibashvili announced the Cabinet reshuffle on Monday. He said results of the local elections proved the Georgian people had reaffirmed their support for the Georgian Dream Government and more effort was needed for the Government to "deliver the goods and maintain people’s trust”, therefore a reshuffle was needed.

The previous Cabinet was formed by ex-Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and it worked for one year and nine month with no staff changes.

The revised Cabinet must be presented to the Parliament of Georgia within a week to gain a new vote of confidence.