PM defends reshuffles as ‘healthy phenomenon’ amid election preparations

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday described recent personnel changes in the country’s local governments as a "healthy phenomenon," emphasizing that such rotations strengthened state resources. 

Speaking to journalists in the coastal city of Batumi, western Georgia, Kobakhidze claimed resignations of several mayors had been a natural part of election preparations.

"Rotation is an absolutely normal, healthy phenomenon. I would like to thank Tornike Rizhvadze [former Adjara Government head] once again for the work he has been doing for many years both for the development of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara and for achieving our party goals. He has made a great contribution to all of this, and I would like to thank him very much,” the PM said. 

He further acknowledged that the approaching municipal  elections in Autumn played a role in the decision of mayors to step down, describing their resignations as a move aligned with the election preparation process. "One of the reasons is that the elections are approaching, and perhaps at this time they considered it most appropriate to make such a decision. We approach this with understanding and are ready in all municipalities," he noted.

The PM expressed confidence in his party's performance in the upcoming elections, pledging victory in all 64 municipalities of Georgia, including all six municipalities of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. "We will definitely win both the mayoral and city assembly elections in the municipality," he pledged.