**Georgian Dream Leader Makes Major Change in Economy Ministry**
In a surprise move, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has removed Levan Davitashvili from his position as Economy Minister and replaced him with Mariam Kvrivishvili. This change comes after months of reshuffling within the Georgian Dream party.
Levan Davitashvili had been serving as Georgia’s Economy Minister since 2022. He will now take on a new role, working as Kobakhidze’s chief adviser on economic affairs and Secretary of the Economic Council. The Prime Minister explained that he wanted to give Davitashvili more freedom to focus on important tasks like attracting investments.
Davitashvili expressed gratitude to Kobakhidze for the opportunity to serve in his previous position. He also thanked Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of Georgian Dream, for giving him a chance to work in senior roles. Davitashvili wished Mariam Kvrivishvili success in her new capacity.
The change comes amid strained ties between Georgia and the United States. In recent months, several high-ranking officials within the Georgian Dream party have left their positions. This move has sparked concerns among some experts, who see it as a sign of instability within the government.
Former Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli reacted to Davitashvili’s removal on social media. She stated that this change could be seen as an attempt by the Georgian Dream leadership to distance themselves from ties with Western countries. “They even cut off the last connection with the Americans and the European Union,” she wrote.
Mariam Kvrivishvili, who takes over as Economy Minister at just 35 years old, has a background in serving as Deputy Economy Minister since 2021. She is also a member of Georgian Dream’s Political Council and was listed as number 12 on their party list for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The change follows an investigation into former First Deputy Economy Minister Romeo Mikautadze, who was arrested and charged with money laundering and abuse of power while serving under Davitashvili. The Prime Minister maintained that Davitashvili’s integrity is not being questioned by the investigation.
**What this means for Georgia**
The removal of Levan Davitashvili from his position as Economy Minister has sparked interest among experts and citizens alike. This change could have significant implications for Georgia’s economic development, especially given the strained ties with Western countries.
While Kobakhidze emphasized that he wanted to give Davitashvili more freedom to focus on important tasks, some see this move as a sign of instability within the government. As the country approaches its 2024 parliamentary elections, it remains to be seen how these changes will affect Georgia’s economic growth and international relations.
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