Defence Minister Candidate: All soldiers should have right to vote

Defence Minister candidate Tinatin Khidasheli stated yesterday that all Georgian soldiers should have a right to vote and they must not be restricted to fulfill the fundamental right. 

Khidasheli made the statement in front of lawmakers in Kutaisi parliament before the legislative body voted for the new Cabinet of Ministers. 

I absolutely don’t share and categorically disagree the recent speculations by some politicians that soldiers should not have a right to vote. I believe such assertion is absurd.” 

Of course, all soldiers will have a right to vote. We might have a small contingent of soldiers we won’t be able to let homes for the elections, but we will do our best those people to vote outside the military base, in the nearest districts, villages or so on,” Khidasheli stated. 

Speaking about Georgia’s participating in international missions the Minister stressed that from January 7, 2016 Georgia would renew its presence in the European Union (EU) peacekeeping mission in Central Africa and Mali.

We also continue our presence in Afghanistan peacekeeping mission,” Khidasheli added. 

  Tinatin Khidasheli said she issued bonuses for low rank employees. Photo by the Defence Ministry of Georgia. 

Touching on Georgia’s defence capabilities the Minister emphasised this year’s purchase of air-defence weapons from French companies. 

Khidasheli stressed that the purchase would be followed by the trainings on how Georgians could practically use the weapons. 

French instructors will arrive to Georgia to teach Georgians how to use the systems. Gradually Georgians will be able to use the weapons without any support.” 

Meanwhile, as France became a leader county in air-defence field in the context of Georgia-NATO substantial package, a group of French officers will arrive to Georgia in January and stay in the country for two years. They will give lessons to Georgian servicemen in the air-defence direction,” Khidasheli stated. 

At the end of her speech the Minister highlighted that in 2015 she issued bonuses worth of 4 million GEL for her 17, 705 employees. 

I am very proud of it as such category of people took the bonuses for the St. George’s day and for Christmas who have never taken before.” 

The Minister defined that only low rank servicemen and not officials could take the bonuses.

According to the Georgian legislation after the resignation   of the Prime Minister Irakli Garibahsvili all the 19 Ministers of the Cabinet were automatically suspended from their power. 

Since the majority candidate for the Prime Minister’s post, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, named the new Cabinet of Ministers, with only one new face in, the candidates for the ministerial posts must be approved by the Parliament to fulfill their jobs.

Parliament must vote for the new Cabinet of Ministers and the Prime Minister candidate today.