MP Bitadze appointed Georgia’s new culture minister

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has announced the appointment of ruling party MP Maia Bitadze as the country’s new culture minister.

Kobakhidze made the announcement at a briefing at the Government Administration on Tuesday, highlighting Bitadze’s “extensive experience” in senior government positions.

“She has exceptional, many years of management experience. For many years, she held various senior positions, including serving as deputy environment minister and deputy mayor of Tbilisi. During part of her tenure as deputy mayor, she was also responsible for the culture portfolio,” Kobakhidze said.

Bitadze has been a member of Parliament since 2020 and has chaired the Parliamentary Committee on Environmental Protection and Natural Resources.

She holds a doctorate in law and is an associate professor at Tbilisi State University.

Kobakhidze said integrity was the main criterion behind the decision to appoint Bitadze.

“She is distinguished by her integrity, and this is the main criterion on the basis of which we asked Maia Bitadze to take the position of culture minister,” he said.

“I am confident that Maia will be a very successful culture minister,” Kobakhidze added, wishing her success in the new position.