Georgian PM highlights education, healthcare among “main directions” of ruling party’s election programme

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said education and healthcare would be among the “main directions” of the ruling Georgian Dream party’s election programme for the parliamentary elections in the country in October.

The PM told the Parliament in his annual report the Government would “propose fundamental changes” to the sectors, which he said needed reforms.

He also told lawmakers the nation’s “struggle” for independence since the late 1980s to the early 1990s “continues today” with the aim of being finalised.

The Government head told the Parliament despite economic growth the country still had a lower growth rate compared to Western European states, but claimed trends showed the gap would be reduced.

According to the forecast of the International Monetary Fund, by 2029, the difference between Germany and Georgia in terms of the standard of living of the citizens will be reduced by a factor of two. Maintaining this trend is important. Demographics are also positively affected by this economic growth”, he said.

The PM stressed overcoming poverty was “one of the most important national tasks”, adding “constant progress” was being observed in the direction and “should be continued”.