Georgian Gov’t announces cabinet reshuffle: what changes are being made?

The Georgian Government on Tuesday announced a major reshuffle involving the Interior Ministry, the State Security Service and the appointment of a new vice prime minister.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze presented the changes to the media alongside Mamuka Mdinaradze, Geka Geladze and Sulkhan Tamazashvili.

Under the reshuffle, current Interior Minister Geka Geladze will become the new head of the State Security Service, while Sulkhan Tamazashvili, who has served as head of the Adjara regional government, will replace him as interior minister.

The candidate for the vacant post of Adjara government chair has not yet been announced.

Kobakhidze also said Mamuka Mdinaradze would be appointed vice prime minister and take on the newly created role of State Minister for Coordination of Law Enforcement Agencies.

The Prime Minister said the legislative package required to establish the new government position will be submitted to Parliament by Wednesday and adopted under an expedited procedure during the next plenary week.

Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili will also serve as vice prime minister, bringing the total number of deputy prime ministers in the Government to three, alongside Defence Minister Irakli Chikovani and Mdinaradze.