Ex-PM Kvirikashvili Releases Statement

Former Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, who resigned on June 13 after a disagreement with the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, has released a statement ahead of the second round of the October 28 Presidential Elections.

In the statement, Kvirikashvili says he is not going to return to politics.

“I decided to remain silent during the whole period and I am not going to be active in politics. However, I want to say that I support the values which were protected by the Georgian people in 2012,” he stated, meaning the defeat of the previous ruling party United National Movement in the 2012 parliamentary elections by the GD coalition.

“Taking everything into account, the values still need to be protected. I will never tire from protecting these values, like many in our country,” he added.

Kvirikashvili was Prime Minister of Georgia from 30 December 2015 to 13 June 2018. Prior to that he was Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development from 25 October 2012 until 1 September 2015, Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1 September 2015 until 30 December 2015, and Deputy Prime Minister from 26 July 2013 until 30 December 2015. Kvirikashvili has led initiatives to advance Euro-Atlantic and European integration and highlight Georgia as an attractive location for foreign investment.

On 20 June 2018, Mamuka Bakhtadze, who previously served as Kvirikashvili's Minister of Finance, was approved by the Georgian Parliament as the PM of the country.

By Thea Morrison