Georgian PM announces resignation of Infrastructure Minister

Georgia’s Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, has announced the resignation of Infrastructure Minister Irakli Karseladze, marking another reshuffle within the Georgian Dream government.

At a press conference held on Thursday alongside the outgoing minister and his replacement, Kobakhidze confirmed that Karseladze had submitted his resignation the previous day. “He addressed me with a relevant request yesterday,” the Prime Minister said.

Karseladze has served as Minister of Infrastructure since 2021. Until earlier this month, he led the unified Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure, before the government split the ministry into two separate entities. Karseladze continued as Infrastructure Minister following the split.

Rezi Sokhadze, a ruling party MP and head of the Urban Planning and Urban Economy Commission in Tbilisi City Council, will succeed Karseladze. Sokhadze previously represented the Samgori district as a majority MP.

The latest resignation follows a string of high-profile government changes in recent weeks. Earlier in April, the government’s initial nominee for Minister of Regional Development, Grigol Liluashvili, withdrew from consideration following reported disagreements. Kakha Guledani, Deputy Mayor of Tbilisi, has since taken over the role.

In Adjara, another key appointment saw the replacement of regional government head Tornike Rizhvadze with Sulkhan Tamazashvili, the former director of the Tbilisi Police Department, who has been sanctioned by the UK.