Ruling party nominee for premiership Gakharia presents cabinet, gov’t programme - ‘building a European state’

The ruling Georgian Dream party nominee for the country’s premiership Giorgi Gakharia has presented his cabinet to parliament to be voted on, as well as a government programme - ‘Building of a European State.’ 

10 of the 11 candidates in the cabinet remain unchanged, while former deputy Justice Minister Gocha Lortkipanidze was nominated to take over as justice minister.

The candidates for the new cabinet are as follows: 

• Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport - Mikheil Chkhenkeli. 
• Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture - Levan Davitashvili.
• Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development - Natia Turnava.
• Defence Ministry - Irakli Garibashvili.
• Ministry of Justice - Gocha Lortkipanidze.
• Ministry for Internally Displaced Persons, Health and Social Issues - Ekaterine Tikaradze.
• Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure - Maia Tskitishvili.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs - David Zalkaliani.
• Finance Ministry - Ivane Machavariani.
• Ministry of Internal Affairs - Vakhtang Gomelauri.
• State Ministry for Reconciliation and Civil Equality - Tea Akhvlediani. 

 Gocha Lortkipanidze became the first Georgian who was unanimously elected to represent Eastern Europe in the Trust Fund for Victims of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2018. Photo: parliament of Georgia press office. 

The official statement says that the programme of the new government, ‘Building of a European State’, aims to overcome the crisis caused by the pandemic, restore the state economy in a timely fashion, create a safe and stable environment for Georgian citizens and continue structural reforms. 

In parallel the country will continue taking steps for the consolidation of democracy and Euro-Atlantic integration. The main goal of the following years will be making Georgia ready (institutionally, socially and economically) for submission of an official statement for the membership of the EU in 2024,” the government of Georgia press office has reported. 

The statement says that the new government of Georgia will be focused on four major directions: 

• Foreign policy, security, conflict resolution and human rights. 
• Economic development.
• Social policy and development of the human capital. 
• State governance. 

Gakharia and the new cabinet are expected to be voted on next week. 

At least 76 votes are mandatory in the 150-member parliament for the approval of the new PM and the cabinet. 

Opposition parties still refuse to take up their mandates in parliament. 

• 10th parliament of Georgia holds first session, no opposition MPs present

However, the ruling Georgian Dream has 90 MPs in the legislature which is sufficient for the approval.