PM Denies Ridiculous Speculation on Cabinet Reshuffle

PM Irakli Garibashvili denied rumors about his possible resignation as ridiculous and said that no cabinet reshuffle is planned.

Series of reshuffles since December 5 affecting some of the senior and mid-level officials in executive government, as well as in GDDG, a leading party in the ruling GD coalition, caused speculation about possible broader political implications. Those changes involved replacement of deputy infrastructure minister; head of the interior ministrys internal investigations unit; chairman of the PMs economic council; governor of Guria region; head of governments department overseeing regional governors; head of the Finance Ministrys revenue service.

Last week Zviad Jankarashvili, executive secretary of Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia (GDDG), party founded by ex-PM Ivanishvili and now chaired by PM Irakli Garibashvili, stepped down just two months after being appointed on this post. Jankarashvili, who is a relative of Garibashvili, was head of interior ministrys internal investigations unit, before stepping down in April, 2014. These changes triggered rumors swirl about ex-PM Ivanishvili being behind the recent reshuffles, allegedly aimed at sidelining Jankarashvili and his allies in government; some media sources have also speculated that ex-PM Ivanishvili was not happy by performance of his protg incumbent PM Garibashvili, which could have possibly led to his replacement.

Speaking at a news conference on December 9 PM Garibashvili said in his first public comments since recent series of reshuffles, that such speculation was so ridiculous that I dont even know whether to respond or not.

Prime Minister is head of the government, confirmed by the Parliament and replacing Prime Minister does not happen so easily in democratic states. We continue working, Garibashvili said.

Commenting on ex-PM Ivanishvilis role, Garibashvili said: I want to stress that Bidzina Ivanishvili is not meddling in governments work. I never hide that when needed and when discussing important issues I may call him and ask for an advice, for his opinion.

Garibashvili said that its a normal, healthy, transparent process and it happens in any country, when former prime ministers, presidents are asked for an advice.

He said that recent reshuffles were part of a routine, normal, working process.

Theyve done their job and time has come to move them to other positions, Garibashvili said. I am really surprised why it caused so many questions.

He also denied having intention to change any of the cabinet member.

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PM Denies Ridiculous Speculation on Cabinet Reshuffle