Georgia’s ruling coalition nominated the current Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, as the new head of government after the resignation of Irakli Gharibashvili on December 23, 2015. Mr. Kvirikashvili is a Muskie Fellow and holds a Master’s of Finance from Illinois University. He spent most of his career in financial and banking sectors before becoming the Minister of Economy in late October 2012. From 2006 till 2012, Mr. Kvirikashvili was the CEO of Cartu Bank. He is regarded as a business-friendly professional with liberal views. When meeting lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties at the confirmation hearings on December 28, 2015, Mr. Kvirikashvili called for putting an end to political polarization and vowed that his cabinet will be much more open to cooperation with all groups in the Parliament.
Mr. Kvirikashvili has declared his primary focus to be the support of business climate and job creation. He has announced no changes to the cabinet other than the appointment of his deputy, Mikheil Janelidze, as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs. President Giorgi Margvelashvili has welcomed Giorgi Kvirikashvili’s candidacy for the position of the PM and presented the nomination to the Parliament for confirmation. A simple majority is required for the approval of the new PM. The vote is scheduled for today, December 29, 2015.
