President selects opposition leader as his new political adviser

President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili has a new adviser in political issues. 

Today Margvelashvili presented Pikria Chikhradze, chairperson of the New Rights political party, as his new political adviser, describing her as a "very experienced and sensible politician”. 

We have a very qualified and experienced member in our team now. I first met her 30 years ago when each of us was involved in politics,” Margvelashvili said. 

We will work together and discuss all the topics and challenges Georgia is facing in terms of politics. … She has very good political contacts,” Margvelashvili added.  

In response Chikhradze stressed she had already suspended her activities with the New Rights party had had stepped down as party leader. 

Chikhradze said she accepted the position because she recognised President Margvelashvili as a state leader who was taking genuine steps to develop democratic institutions in the country. 

Chikradze, 49, philologist in profession, worked in the academic field at the beginning of her career before turning to politics. She began her political career back in 1995.

Over the years Chikradze has been a Member of Parliament (MP) three times, always aligned with the New Rights party. 

She served as a party member since 1999 then became the party leader in 2013.