Georgia's prime minister has proposed that his close ally, Interior Minister Irakli Garibashvili, succeed him when he steps down in the next few weeks.
Bidzina Ivanishvili named Garibashvili after consultations with members of his government and the leadership of his ruling Georgian Dream coalition on November 2.
Ivanishvili has said he will step down after Giorgi Margvelashvili is sworn in as president on November 17. Garibashvili would still have to be nominated by parliament and approved by Margvelashvili, but both steps are seen as formalities as parliament is dominated by the Georgian Dream coalition, and Margvelashvili is an Ivanishvili ally.
Margvelashvili was elected president last month to replace Mikheil Saakashvili, an Ivanishvili rival. The prime minister's position is now the most powerful in the country, under constitutional amendments which transferred many of the president's responsibilities.
Bidzina Ivanishvili named Garibashvili after consultations with members of his government and the leadership of his ruling Georgian Dream coalition on November 2.
Ivanishvili has said he will step down after Giorgi Margvelashvili is sworn in as president on November 17. Garibashvili would still have to be nominated by parliament and approved by Margvelashvili, but both steps are seen as formalities as parliament is dominated by the Georgian Dream coalition, and Margvelashvili is an Ivanishvili ally.
Margvelashvili was elected president last month to replace Mikheil Saakashvili, an Ivanishvili rival. The prime minister's position is now the most powerful in the country, under constitutional amendments which transferred many of the president's responsibilities.