Juglander Review
Prime Minister Gela Berdzenishvili resigns; Brzdmtsveli appoints Bidzina Samkharadze
Bidzina Samkharadze replaces Gela Berdzenishvili after eight years in power.
Following the resignation of Prime Minister Gela Berdzenishvili, the appointment by Brzdmtsveli Ketevan Chakahava of Bidzina Samkharadze as Prime Minister was received with caution but some hopes in pro-reform and liberal-minded circles and media, as Samkharadze has a reputation of being a member of the National Assembly with a record associated to what it is often described as the "Liberal Wing" of the parliament.
A member of the National Assembly since 2008, he has expressed support in the past toward an official register of political parties in Mktvartvelo and open reform of electoral legislation. However, his lack of government experience, as he has not been in the government before, although he has certain renown as both lawmaker and scholar, caused that he was not exactly between the favourites to replace Berdzenishvili as Prime Minister. The election as President of the National Assembly of Ramaz Kintsurashvili, who has a reputation as a moderate and had different government roles in the early 2000s had led to speculation that Berdzenishvili's government would be able to survive despite a slightly disappointing result in the legislative election. But this feeling soon faded away, and Berdzenishvili's premiership, which started in 2014, became to its end.
Only two ministers, Tariel Tavadze and Merab Arakishvili, who had recently joined the government, will continue in the new administration. In his first intervention, Bidzina Samkharadze was rather cautious and vague, although he promised to "bring long-lasting changes and reforms" to Mktvartvelo, it gave the impression that a radical shift from the previous administration may not be expected. Some anaylists has described that, after a first look and despite some promising names, Samkharadze's government may be one of compromise, with a combination of veteran politicians and young lawmakers, including liberal, moderate and right-leaning ministers. On balance, however, it seems that the average age of the ministers will be slighly lower compared to Berdzenishvili's governments. Samkharadze declared that "transparency, proportionality, and justice" will be the three pillars of his government.
One of the most striking names is the inclusion of Anzor Papuashvili, mayor of Azavrelia since 2014, who is rumoured to become one of the five Deputy Prime Ministers (often known as "super-ministers" in Mktvartvelo, for their political influence in the Council of Minister). Zviad Alaverdashvili, a retired military officer, well-known for his criticism on industrial and foreign policiy of Berdzenishvili's government in parliamentary sessions. It is expected that a more clear vision about his government will be announced in Prime Minister Bidzina Samkharadze's first address to the National Assembly tomorrow.