Georgia’s New State Minister

Jorbenadze – Acceptable Candidature for the Most of the Parliamentarians

According to the prognosis of the majority of factions in the parliament on December 21 the Parliament will appoint Avtandil Jorbenadze (click for personal profile) as the State Minister. Even the factions opposing Jorbenadze’s appointment concede to this view.

“Avtandil Jorbenadze was selected because of his experience of working within the executive. Therefore he is less likely to make any radical moves and generate confrontation within the government or with the Parliament” – says Giorgi Targamadze, chairman of the opposition faction “United Georgia.”

Only two weeks ago the Parliament voted for appointing Atandil Jorbenadze the Minister of Labor, Health and Social Affairs. Despite the numerous changes in Georgian government Jorbenadze keeps this post since 1993. He has a reputation of President’s favorite – only once President Shevardnadze openly made a critical notice to him thoughout these years. President also called the reforms in healthcare “outstanding”, despite public discontent with the collapsed system of social welfare.

“By nominating Jorbenadze, President showed that he needs a good coordinator” – says Gigi Tsereteli, Vice Speaker of the Parliament. President thinks that the country really needs a doctor says Tseretely alluding to Jorbenadze’s background as a medical doctor.

Shevardnadze is well known for having particular trust in doctors. In an unexpected government reshuffle of 1995 he appointed then the Minister of Health Irakli Menagarishvili as the Foreign Minister, which proved to be a successful choice as Menagarishvili was re-appointed ever since. Interestingly profession and belonging to Shevardnadze’s team are not the only things that Jorbenadze and Menagarishvili share – they are relatives as well.

President decided to nominate Jorbenadze on December 17. “The State Minister must be a communicable person, with good managerial skills and knowledge of the social system. In additino, Jorbenadze does not belong to any of the political factions,” – said President in his traditional Monday radio broadcast. Although President’s choice was rather unexpected for many top-level officials, they all seemed to endorse Jorbenadze as a capable executive.

Before Jorbenadze’s nomination, Head of the Region Management Service of the State Chancellery (President’s administration) Badri Khatidze and ex-state minister Gia Arsenishvili seemed as real runners-up for the post.

“I think that Jorbenadzewill not face major problems in the Parliament. The Industrialists faction did not discuss the candidacy yet, but I can assure you that we have very positive attitude regarding this candidate” – says Zurab Tkemaladze, member of the “Industrialists” faction. Several other factions, including the groups that support the President, express similar position. Thus, Jorbenadze’s should expect to move into the new offices on December 21 .

Duties of the State Minister are defined by the paragraph 81 of Georgia’s 1995 Constitution: “State Minister is the member of the government. The Minister administers the State Chancellery and executes particular directives of the President”.

The Law on Structure of the Executive Government and Rules of its Activity, adopted later, expanded the rights of the State Minister. However, both by the law and, more importantly, according to already quite extensive tradition, the State Minister is not a political figure. He remains completely dependent on the President, however possesses serious managerial powers that operate the machinery of the State Chancellery. State Minister has the right to chair the Government sessions, however, since 1995 the State Minister has not chaired any reserving this right to the President.

Vakhtang Khmaladze, member of the “Industrialists” thinks that being close to President makes the State Minister’s position attractive for the bureaucrats. This “closeness” is visibly demonstrated also by the personal proximity – the State Minister’s office is on the 10th floor of the State Chancellery – only one floor below the President. 

It is likely that on December 21 Shevardnadze will move one of his most loyal supporters to reinforce the shattered image of the Georgian executive. Avtandil Jorbenadze is likely to need all his managerial and diplomatic skills to guide the government through the tough winter and the hostile waters of confrontation with the legislature.

By Giorgi Kalandadze