Candidate for premiership submits list of nominees for new cabinet

The Georgian Dream ruling party candidate for the premiership Giorgi Gakharia has already submitted the names of the nominees in the new cabinet to parliament which excludes only current Defence Minister  Levan Izoria and nominates current head of the State Security Service Vakhtang Gomelauri as the replacement of Gakharia.

Parliament Chair Archil Talakvadze said that Gakharia has also presented the government plan for 2019-2020.

 Gakharia said earlier today that former PM Irakli Garibashvili will replace Izoria in the role.

Head of the Georgian Dream ruling party Bidzina Ivanishvili (R) nominated Gakharia (L) for premiership earlier today. Photo: Georgian Dream press office. 

 The nominees for ministers in the new cabinet are as follows:

•  Mikheil Batiashvili – Minister of Education, Culture and Sports.
• Levan Davitashvili - Minister of Environment and Agriculture.
• Natia Turnava – Minister of Economy.
• Irakli Garibashvili – Minister of Defence.
• Tea Tsulukiani – Minister of Justice.
• Ekaterine Tikaradze – Minister of Internally Displaced Persons, Labour, Health and Social Protection.
• Maia Tskitishvili – Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure.
• David Zalkaliani – Minister of Foreign Affairs.
• Vakhtang Gomelauri - Interior Minister.
• Ketevan Tsikhelashvili – Minister of Reconciliation and Civil Equality.

 Head of Parliament’s Procedural Committee Giorgi Kakhiani said that it is possible the new PM and the cabinet to be voted later this week.

 He said that hearings in parliamentary committees and the meeting with factions and the majority will take about five days and the voting might take place on the weekend.

 At least 76 votes in the 150-member parliament are required to approve the new PM and the cabinet.