New Chairman Nominated for Gov't of Adjara

In a briefing yesterday at the Presidential Palace, Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili officially nominated Tornike Rizhvadze as candidate for Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara. Rizhvadze was formerly head of the Energy Development Fund, and previously worked as a deputy of now-Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze when he was Minister of Energy of Georgia, according to Rustavi2.

“About three days ago I was in Ajara, I held consultations. Only one candidate was presented at the time, this was Tornike Rizhvadze, nominated by Georgian Dream. On that day, the opposition did not provide me an alternative candidate. Then the opposition nominated Armaz Akhvlediani’s candidacy. I think that a competitive political environment is a precondition for the democratic functioning of the country. In the current situation, as Tornike Rizhvadze represents the party which is the majority in the Supreme Council of Ajara, my decision is logical and I have chosen Mr. Tornike Rizhvadze's candidacy,” said Margvelashvili at the briefing.

Rizhvadze, just 29 years old, was the candidate presented by Georgian Dream – Margvelashvili’s political party. The other two candidates were Armaz Akhvlediani, supported by six political parties, and Gocha Gugunava, named by a public movement.

On July 3, Zurab Pataridze resigned as head of the Ajaran government. The post has been empty since his sudden resignation.

Ajara is an Autonomous Republic within Georgia. According to the republic's official website: Issues of significant importance are subject to the Constitutional Law of Georgia on the Status of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara. The supreme legislative body is the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara, elected for four-year term. The supreme executive body is the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara. Local self-authorities consist of municipal councils; and local executive branches consist of mayors. The judiciary branch is exercised by courts upon the general principal of equal rights. The Representative of Ombudsman is independent and supervises human rights protection in the Autonomous Republic of Ajara. The Autonomous Republic of Ajara has its own budget annually adopted by the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara.

By Samantha Guthrie

Photo: 1TV