Ex-PM Ivanishvili works on projects to strengthen public sector

Georgia’s former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is working on several projects to improve the country’s public services.

Ivanishvili talked about his plans, as well as his thoughts on the current situation in Georgia, in an interview with Tbilisi-based Kviris Palitra newspaper.

‘’Two projects are already ready aiming to improve society’s development, [and that’s] where I see my role,” the ex-PM said.

He noted a "large-scale project” had been prepared for school children, which would focus on letting children understand the meaning of "civil society” and how to be "a responsible citizen”.

Ivanishvili said the second project would focus on the development of local self-government and students would be involved in this.

"Students will be involved in discussing regional budgets, express their critical notes and manage to present better versions of the budget. I spent a lot of time on preparing these projects,’’ the former leader said.

Ivanishvili moved into the civil sector and vowed to improve public services with a 20-year plan he developed after he stepped down as the country's Prime Minister on November 20, 2013.

In the same interview, the former leader expressed his thoughts on a number of ongoing issues and the country’s general political situation. He said members of the former ruling United National Movement (UNM) party were trying to win President Giorgi Margvelashvili over to their side and create a division in the ruling team.

Ivanishvili said he was satisfied with how the country’s Interior Ministry and particular, Minister Aleksandre Tchikaidze, worked.

The ex-PM expressed his dissatisfaction about the Georgian media and said journalists were "not professional” and "biased”.

Ivanishvili did not rule out a new talk-show would soon be launched with the former PM at the helm.

"This, by the way, was one of the topics which let me know our phone conversations were still being surveyed,” Ivanishvili said.

Ivanishvili said he discussed his possible journalism-related plans with a partner in a telephone conversation and the next day Georgian media already reported about the issue.