TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgian Dream on Tuesday named the rest of its candidates for new government ministers.

Bidzina Ivanishivli, Georgian Dream coalition leader, said the Ministry of Economy will be given certain new functions because of upcoming reforms. New economy minister will be Giorgi Kvirikashvili. He has worked several years in the management of Cartu Bank, which is affiliated with Ivanishvili and was subject to a police raid and legal difficulties during the election campaign.

Candidate for finance minister is Nodar Khaduri, who was just elected as member of parliament (MP) through the proportional party list system, representing Georgian Dream. One week ago, when Ivanishivli named part of his candidates for government ministers, he said Nodar Khaduri would be chair of the parliament’s economy committee. But this decision was changed and now he is a candidate for finance minister. Khaduri is a financial analyst with rank as professor and has served for many years at Tbilisi State University.

At the beginning of the new semester of 2012-2013, however, the university canceled its contract with him. Khaduri saw this in connected with his political views. Several other lecturers were also fired from TSU at the time, and this was also seen as having a political background.

Davit Narmania, also professor and financial expert, whose contract with TSU was also suspended at the same time, will be first deputy finance minister, but before becoming deputy finance minister Davit Narmania will be minister for regional development and infrastructure.

Bidzina Ivanishvili said the economy ministry will be joined with the ministry for infrastructure and natural resources. The ministry of regional development and infrastructure will be abolished, and its responsibilities be placed under the prime minister.

A week ago, when the brunt of the candidates were named, former AC Milan player Kakhi Kaladze was named as a candidate for regional development and infrastructure minister. Kaladze in 2011 retired as football player in order to support Bidzina Ivanishvili. In the election he was number one on the Georgian Dream party list. He won the majoritarian contest in his native Samtredia district.

But since the ministry is to be abolished Kaladze was today named as candidate for energy minister but will remain vice prime minister as well.

Khatuna Gogoladze will be new environment minister. She studied in USA and for years has been working at Environment Minister. She chaired implementation of foreign programs in Georgia.

Davit Darakhvelidze was named as candidate for refugee minister.

Giorgi Margvelashvili, who is rector of Georgian Institute of Public Affairs, will be education minister.

Bidzina Ivanishvili said a state commission for education and science reforms will be set up under the prime minister’s office. Gia Dvali, a well known scientist and physicist, will chair it. He currently lives in the USA.

Amiran Gamkrelidze a week ago was named as candidate for health minister. For a week the candidate spoke about plans he was going to implement when in office, but on Tuesday he unexpectedly changed his decision and refused to accept the job, explaining that he was having a conflict of interest, as his son chairs one of the insurance companies in Georgia. His son shortly after his father was named as health minister candidate, left his post and moved to the Bank of Georgia.

Davit Sergienko was named as new candidate for health minister. For years he chaired a medical center in Sachkhere, Bidzina Ivanishvili’s hometown.

October 8, Bidzina Ivanishvili named the other candidates for the future government. Read more here: https://dfwatch.net/new-government-takes-shape-51932