Parliament Speaker praises outgoing PM, GD Chair’s “joint efforts” in advancing domestic “political, economic success”

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Thursday praised the “joint efforts” of the outgoing Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and the incumbent Georgian Dream party Chair Irakli Kobakhidze, expected to replace the former as the head of the Government, in their advancement of “political and economic success” for the country.

In his comments to the media, Papuashvili said the achievements, the “strength” of the ruling party and results of elections demonstrated the “strong tandem” of Garibashvili and Kobakhidze.

This is an important moment for the [country’s] democracy, since the PM is selected within the Parliament, after [Georgia’s] switching to a fully parliamentary system. This will introduce a completely new dynamic in the relationship between the legislative body and the Government”, he said.

Papuashvili added Garibashvili would now take on the leadership of the party, which he said remained “no less challenging to manage” given its dealings with “party members [and] politicians”.

The Parliament Speaker also expressed his confidence the upcoming parliamentary elections would be “another stage of the team and country's success”.