Government of Adjara to be changed soon

With the recent approval of cabinet of ministers by the Georgian Parliament, it is now time for Georgia's autonomous republic of Adjara to undergo political changes. The new ruling party Georgian Dream led by new Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is now considering three candidates to replace Levan Varshalomidze, the current chair of the Adjarian government. The nominees are: Jemal Putkaradze, member of current Supreme Council of Adjara, Archil Kharabadze, chairman of Cartu Bank Adjara Branch and Armaz Akhvlediani, Dr of Political Science.

Reportedly, Ivanishvili has personally offered the vacant post to Armaz Akhvlediani, who accepted the nomination.

Ivanishvili has not yet revealed details to the media but he confirmed that the coalition recently held consultations in order to decide on possible candidates. Ivanishvili says that the suitable candidate must have Adjaran roots and should be acceptable for the local population.

Georgian Dream has also decided that Avtandil Beridze will be nominated for the post of the chair of Supreme Council in Adjara and there are no alternatives to him. According to Article 5 on the Law of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara on Structure, Authorities, and Rules for Activities of Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara:

“The President of Georgia within 10 days from gaining the confidence to the new composition of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara and/or the dismissal and withdrawal of the authority of the Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, shall submit a candidate for the chairmanship of the government to the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara for a confidence vote. The confidence of the Chairman of the Government shall be gained by the majority of the total number of the members of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara.”

Ivanishvili hopes that Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili will call a meeting of Adjara Supreme Council for Friday, October 26th. He also promised to have already decided on a candidate by the time council meeting is held.

Representatives of United National Movement announced that their major interest is to ensure the peaceful transition of central power, which includes the autonomous republic. Considering that Georgian Dream won the latest elections with the majority votes in Adjara, UNM decided not to name any alternative candidates and allow the Georgian Dream time to represent their own nominee to the for the president's approval.