Parliament Will Discuss New Cabinet

On June 7, President Saakashvili officially submitted drafts concerning proposed cabinet switches and various other structural reforms within the government.  The parliament must now approve these proposals.  

Although new minster will be introduced into the respective cabinets, a sort of musical chairs will be carried out with the existing heads of state.

According to the proposed changes within the parliament,Giorgi Baramidze, 36, formally the Interior Minister, will take over as Defense Minister, replacing Gela Bezhuashvili, 37. The latter will become Secretary of the National Security Council.
 
Vano Merabishvili, 36, ex-Secretary of the National Security Council, will step into the position of Security Minister, replacing Zurab Adeishvili, 32, who, in turn, will become the General Prosecutor.

Former General Prosecutor Irakli Okruashvili, 31, will lead the Interior Ministry in the new cabinet, replacing the above mentioned Baramidze and bringing the changes full circle.

Security Minister Vano Merabishvili will also perform the duties of Vice Premier, who will be in charge of coordinating the activities of law enforcement and security agencies.

Pending the vote, these ministers will perform the duties of their prospected positions.
 
?The Constitution envisages the introduction of the post of Vice Premier. Previously, former Health Care Minister Gigi Tsereteli, performed this function. Now, Vano Merabishvili will perform this duty. He has great experience in organizing coordinated activities within the law-enforcement agencies,? Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania said on June 7. 
  
The Parliament will also have to undertake a vote of confidence for Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili, Economy Minister Kakha Bendukidze and Health Care Minister Vladimir Chipashvili.

President Saakashvili urged the Parliament on June 7 to approve the cabinet changes. It is likely that the legislative body, which is dominated by Saakashvili?s National Movement-Democrats party, will approve this new cabinet.
 
The Parliament will consider changes in the cabinet at a special session to be held on June 11. Until then, the parliamentary factions and committees will discuss the new candidacies.
 
The Parliament will also discuss a draft of structural reforms for the government, submitted to them at the same time as the parliamentary chage proposal.  This draft envisions the merger of the Ministriy of Economy with that of the Infrastructure Ministry. However, this issue will not be discussed until later next week.