Georgian Patriarch Ilia II hosts new PM Gakharia
Georgian Patriarch Ilia II has hosted new PM Giorgi Gakharia in the Georgian patriarchate building earlier today. Photo: government of Georgia press office.
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Georgian Patriarch Ilia II has hosted the new prime minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia in the building of the Georgian Patriarchate earlier today.
The patriarch blessed the PM and wished him success in the new post,” the administration of the government of Georgia wrote.
Gakharia officially took the post on September 8, after the resignation of Mamuka Bakhtadze.
Georgian Patriarch Ilia II is one of the most trusted public figures, surveys suggest.
Gakharia was previously the minister of internal affairs before taking up the premiership.
With 98 votes in favour and zero against, the parliament of Georgia has approved of the new cabinet under Giorgi Gakharia’s premiership. The Georgian Dream ruling party nominated Giorgi Gakharia to take up the premiership, following Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze's resignation on September 2.
The government plan for 2019-2020, submitted to parliament by the candidate for the premiership Giorgi Gakharia, reads that the top goal of the new government will be taking more active steps for Georgia’s faster integration into NATO and the EU and the further strengthening of relations with the US.
The parliamentary opposition has suspended the first day of the autumn session in parliament with whistles and loud statements, protesting the nomination of Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia as the new PM of the country. A member of the European Georgia opposition Elene Khoshtaria started whistling as soon as the national anthem finished in parliament earlier today,
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze has confirmed his resignation in a long Facebook post earlier today, in which he cited the key challenges Georgia faces, in addition to the achievements the country has seen during his tenure.
Head of the European Council Donald Tusk and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker have wished PM Gakharia success in his new role, saying “your leadership is crucial for the further strengthening of democratic institutions and inclusive political environment in Georgia.”
Catholics Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II turned 87 today. He has been leading the spiritual life of the Orthodox Georgian parish for 42 years now.