Georgian Prime Minister Garibashvili resigns from his post

Garibashvili announced his resignation during a statement at the Government Building in the capital, Tbilisi.

Addressing the nation in a live broadcast, Garibashvili recalled that he had taken office as prime minister for the second time approximately 3 years ago, stating that they had achieved effective results during this period.

Stating that the ruling 'Georgian Dream' party and the government respect democratic principles and that there is an internal rotation within the party for this reason, Garibashvili emphasized that by resigning, he is providing new opportunities for others. Pointing out that he served as prime minister for a total of 5 years across two separate terms, Garibashvili said, "I served our country with good intentions. I defended the interests of our country and our people without compromise. I am proud of the results we achieved with the team during this period."

Garibashvili announced that the political council of the Georgian Dream party had offered him the position of party chairman, and that this matter would be discussed at the party congress to be held on February 1. Reminding that parliamentary elections will be held in the country this autumn, Garibashvili emphasized that the party must prepare for these elections.

HE HAD RESIGNED PREVIOUSLY AS WELL

Garibashvili, who first took office as prime minister in 2013, had previously resigned from his post on December 23, 2015. In his 2015 speech, Garibashvili used the phrase, "Positions are temporary. Only the homeland and God are eternal," noting that he had come to office at the appropriate time and was leaving it accordingly.

Irakli Garibashvili became prime minister again on February 22, 2021, following the resignation of the then-Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia. Garibashvili had also served as Minister of Internal Affairs and Minister of Defense at various times following the general elections held in Georgia in 2012.

Georgian media reports claim that the candidate for the new prime minister will be 45-year-old Member of Parliament Prof. Dr. Irakli Kobakhidze. Kobakhidze, the chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, served as the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia from 2016 to 2019. According to the Constitution of Georgia, the ruling party must present its new prime ministerial candidate to the President within 1 week.

News Source: AA