Georgia’s ex-PM Garibashvili returns to politics
By Tea Mariamidze
Wednesday, March 6
Former Prime Minister of Georgia in 2013-2015, Irakli Garibashvili, has returned to politics after three-year time-out from the politics.
Garibashvili will take the post of Political Secretary in the ruling Georgian Dream (GD).
The information was released by the party’s secretary general and mayor of Tbilisi Kakha Kaladze, who noted that ex-PM’s return will make the GD stronger.
GD senior MP, Gia Volski says Irakli Garibashvili is a very good intellectual resource.
“We had been building our party together with Irakli Garibashvili. His resource should be used, he is distinguished by his knowledge, education and attitude,” Volsky said.
Meanwhile, the opposition believes Garibashvili’s return was caused due to the fact that several majority MPs quit the GD.
Opposition-minded Rustavi 2 TV alleges that Garibashvili might substitute current Speaker of the parliament Irakli Kobakhidze, who has some disagreement with the group of GD MPs.
Political expert, Khatuna Lagazidze, believes Garibashvili’s return will result in the major changes within the GD party.
“Garibashvili’s return will definitely reduce the influence of Irakli Kobakhidze…Also, ex-PM is the part of the GD’s old composition and his return will bring back the values and principles the party had in the beginning,” she added.
Analyst Vakhtang Dzabiradze says Garibashvili is a “reliable person” for the founder of the party, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili.
“In Ivanishvili's team, we see part of the political elite which are resisting him regarding some issues. Ivanishvili seems to have difficulties with controlling the party. That is why he needs people who will do whatever he requires,” the expert said.
Garibashvili was the Prime Minister of Georgia from November 20, 2013, until his resignation on December 29, 2015, and is a former business executive.
He entered politics with his long-time associate Ivanishvili in October 2012. He served as Minister of Internal Affairs in the cabinet of Bidzina Ivanishvili from 2012 to 2013. Ivanishvili named Garibashvili as his successor as Prime Minister when he voluntarily stepped down in November 2013. Aged 31, he was the youngest person to assume the PM office.
