The Georgian parliament approved Irakli Kobakhidze as the new prime minister after he was nominated by the ruling Georgian Dream bloc. Kobakhidze, who chaired the ruling party since 2021, is known for his strong language and a balance of criticism of the West and Ukraine with desires for EU and NATO membership.
Former prime minister Irakli Garibashvili’s resignation last month paved the way for Kobakhidze’s nomination, and both men are considered loyal to billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, Georgia’s richest man and the founder of the Georgian Dream party.
Although Georgian Dream remains the most popular party, it has lost ground since 2020, when it barely won a majority in parliament.
Under Georgian Dream, traditionally pro-Western Tbilisi has deepened ties with Moscow amid the war in Ukraine. Georgia declined to impose its own sanctions on Russia and accused Ukraine of trying to involve Georgia in the conflict.
The move comes as Kobakhidze is known for his fiery rhetoric and a balance of criticism of the West and Ukraine with desires for EU and NATO membership. As he takes office, he will have to navigate Georgia’s relationships with Russia, Ukraine, the West, and the country’s desire for EU and NATO membership. His ability to balance these conflicting interests will be closely watched both domestically and internationally.
It remains to be seen how Kobakhidze’s leadership will shape Georgia’s foreign policy and its relationship with neighboring countries. The new prime minister has a tough task ahead as he strives to maintain Georgia’s sovereignty and security while also pursuing closer ties with the EU and NATO.
(Reporting by Felix Light; Editing by John Davison, Ron Popeski and David Ljunggren)
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