Ruling party nominee for premiership Gakharia presents cabinet, gov’t programme - ‘building a European state’
The approval of the PM and new cabinet requires the vote of at least 76 MPs in the 150-member parliament. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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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.
However, the ruling Georgian Dream has 90 MPs in the legislature which is sufficient for the approval.
The ruling Georgian Dream party has officially nominated Giorgi Gakharia for premiership.
The 10th convocation of the parliament of Georgia is holding its first session today following the October 31 parliamentary elections and the second round of elections on November 21. No opposition MPs from the eight parties and election blocs that were voted into parliament are attending the session. Five of eight opposition parties and blocs have signed a memorandum earlier today in which they do not recognise the election results, and demand the conduct of repeat elections and refuse to take up their mandates.
The fifth round of election talks mediated by foreign ambassadors between the ruling Georgian Dream party and eight opposition parties and blocs has been postponed.
The Georgian Dream ruling party has nominated Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia for the premiership earlier today which has been followed by harsh criticism of the opposition and demonstrators who have been protesting the rally dispersal on Rustaveli Avenue on June 20-21 for 76 days.
The parliament of Georgia has confirmed Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and his cabinet of ministers with 85 votes in favour and none against. 10 out of 11 members of the cabinet remain unchanged; only former deputy Justice Minister Gocha Lortkipanidze will temporarily take over as justice minister before he officially takes up the position of judge at the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC).
International leaders have congratulated Giorgi Gakharia on his reappointment as Georgian Prime Minister. Gakharia has received letters of congratulation from Ukrainian, Slovak, German, Estonian, Italian and Azerbaijani leaders.