Parliament approves Prime Minister, renewed Cabinet

Georgian Parliament Members (MPs) have approved and given their vote of confidence to the Prime Minister and updated list of cabinet members.

The vote of confidence was given with 103 votes in favour and 17 against after a long discussion at parliament.

A vote of confidence became needed after a major reshuffle took place in which several ministries merged and ministers changed in November.

Following the changes that now have been approved by parliament, the number of ministries have decreased from 18 to 14.

The newly approved Cabinet of Ministers of Georgia looks like this:

• Prime Minister – Giorgi Kvirikashvili
• Foreign Minister – Mikheil Janelidze
• Interior Minister – Giorgi Gakharia
• Economy Minister – Dimitry Kumsishvili
• Finance Minister – Mamuka Bakhtadze
• Defence Minister – Levan Izoria
• Education Minister – Mikheil Chkhenkeli
• Justice Minister – Thea Tsulukiani
• Environment Protection and Agriculture Minister – Levan Davitashvili
• Health Minister – David Sergeenko
• Culture, Monument Protection and Sport Minister – Mikheil Giorgadze
• Regional Development and Infrastructure Minister – Zurab Alavidze
• Corrections Minister – Kakhi Kakhishvili
• Refugees Minister – Sozar Subari
• Reconciliation and Civic Equality Minister – Ketevan Tsikhelashvili

Following the vote of confidence, Prime Minister Kvirikashvili said in his thank you speech that 2018 will be a year of dialogue and the government will cooperate with anyone interested.