Georgian PM nominates new Culture and Sports Minister, announces “post-election split” of ministry

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday nominated Tinatin Rukhadze as Georgia’s new Minister of Culture and Sports, introducing her at a recent government briefing. Kobakhidze outlined plans to split the Ministry of Culture and Sports into two separate entities following the upcoming, October 26 general elections.

The PM also expressed his gratitude to the outgoing Minister, Thea Tsulukiani, who is in the top 20 of the ruling party election list for the forthcoming vote, for her contributions during her tenure. The official further highlighted “as you know, we have great success in the field of sports. In recent years, special attention has been paid to the development of sports, and the separate creation of the Ministry of Sports will be another expression of attention”.

Shalva Gogoladze has been appointed as the First Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports and will transition to the role of Minister of Sports once the ministries are officially divided, Kobakhidze claimed.