Former PM Gakharia: ‘I’m staying in politics’

Former Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has stated that he has ‘no plans to leave the country or politics.’ 

• Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia resigns

He told journalists earlier today that he will announce his intentions in the coming days. 

Gakharia resigned on February 18, 2021, saying that the step was connected with the upcoming arrest of the opposition MP and the head of the United National Movement opposition party Nika Melia. 

Gakharia's farewell photo has grabbed public attention. 

Gakharia said that Melia, who refused to post bail, should be arrested according to the law. However, he stated that amid the political tension the arrest would spark further complications. 

Melia was arrested on February 23, shortly after the parliament approved Irakli Garibashvili as the country’s new PM. 

The opposition parties which have been demanding repeat parliamentary elections since the October 31 race took to the street again following Melia’s arrest. 

The recent EU-mediated talks to help the parties come to an agreement on the issues of repeat elections and the release of Melia ended without result. 

The opposition has plans to take to the street again. 

• The path from business ombudsman to the premiership – who is Giorgi Gakharia?

Gakharia was appointed PM in September 2019 and was reapproved to the post by the parliament in December 2020, after the elections. 

In previous years he was the country’s interior minister and business ombudsman.