Georgian prime minister Irakly Garibashvili says has resigned

He was a political unknown before former prime minister and billionaire tycoon Bidzina Ivanishvili named him interior minister in October 2012.

“In line with Georgia’s Constitution, the prime minister’s resignation means all members of government are dismissed”, he said.

Opposition politicians stated earlier that his resignation might doubtless be a part of the coalition’s efforts to reverse a speedy lack of reputation amid financial turmoil earlier than parliamentary elections set to happen in October 2016.

Georgian media had speculated that Garibashvili would step down to focus all his energy on the campaign for Georgian Dream in parliamentary elections next November. Other reshuffle is also possible in the Cabinet of Ministers.

Over the next seven days, after consultations with the parliamentary majority, the country’s president must name the candidate for the post of Prime Minister.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has been tapped as his successor. Before taking office, Garibashvili had spent nearly his entire decade-long working life in the employ of the enigmatic Ivanishvili who calls him his “beloved boy”. Garibashvili will make a statement about the resignation.

In contrast, support for Saakashvili’s United National Movement has risen and some recent polls indicated that it has caught up with Georgian Dream or even overtaken it in popularity. “The country has to get rid of Ivanishvili’s informal rule”.