Ivanishvili Praises Current PM, Criticizes Former

The founder and Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, ex-PM and billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is often referred to by the opposition as the “informal ruler” of Georgia, has praised the new Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, but criticized his former favorite ex-PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili.

In his interview with Georgian Public Broadcaster, Ivanishvili said Mamuka Bakhtadze studies the problems of every ministry, while the former PM "never did so."

“I think the current PM is competent and can lead the government…Also, in such a short period, he started active communication with parliament, because we are a parliamentary republic and it is necessary,” Ivanishvili explained.

The GD Chair noted that teamwork is also one of the most necessary aspects in government work.

“Mamuka Bakhtadze is committed to get involved in the work of all ministries, to understanding the problems, to assisting them through consultations, which, unfortunately, was not common during Kvirikashvili’s term,” he noted.

According to the former Prime Minister, the methods of governing used by Kvirikashvili led the team to a danger of collapse.

“Kvirikashvili was not able to carry out good team management. The Parliament was actually removed from the decision-making process. The government could not reach agreement on principal issues and some delayed decisions were presented to society without preparation. The readiness of the tram was not observed, especially in Parliament, and this problem was reflected in the team,” he stated.

Ivanishvili also noted that the rumors that he is ruling the country are not true.

“The PM is doing his work and I do not want society to think I am interfering in this process. Bakhtadze has his own competency…He is doing the PM’s work and I am doing mine, as the GD chair,” he stated.

By Thea Morrison