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Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, who was elected as a leader of Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia party on Saturday, told Imedi TV that he has candidates to replace ministers from the Republican Party in case they resign.

A few weeks ago, the Republican Party and other parties that are members of the Georgian Dream coalition declared that they will run independently in October’s parliamentary election. The Republicans have not yet withdrawn from the coalition as the National Forum did, but it is expected that the Republican cabinet members will leave their posts before the election.

The PM didn’t name the candidates to replace Environment Minister Giga Agulashvili, Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli and Minister for Reconciliation Paata Zakareishvili. He didn’t rule out the possibility of replacing other ministers as well.

“It would be thoughtless to say that I haven’t selected [the candidates]. As I know, they are definitely expected to leave, even though they haven’t said whether they will leave before the election, but it is my duty to think about it, and of course I have a list of candidates who I will select for the three posts,” Kvirikashvili said.

He didn’t rule out the possibility of a government reshuffle before the election.

“We have a quite ambitious plan for reforms, and so there may be certain changes. When this will happen, which day, I will not start omens.  There will be changes, for sure.”