Georgian govt can see some reshuffles after PM Ivanishvili steps down - parliamentary speaker
TBILISI. Sept 3 (Interfax) - Georgian parliamentary speaker David Usupashvili says the Georgian Dream coalition does not have a candidate for prime minister, as incumbent Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has not yet stepped down but "has only said he would step down."
"Bidzina Ivanishvili keeps all of his promises, including the one that he would retire from politics in 2-3 years and would continue to serve his country in a different form," Usupashvili told journalists on Tuesday in commenting on Ivanishvili's open letter published on Monday.
The coalition was prepared for this, as Ivanishvili said at the initial stage of its establishment that he would retire from politics in time, he said.
"The main motive of his decision is that we [the coalition] should not depend on one person and could take on our share of responsibility and serve our country," he said.
As for a successor to the incumbent prime minister, Usupashvili said Georgian Dream would nominate its candidate, after which, in line with the constitution, a government will be put together.
"But this doesn't mean that all ministers will be replaced, although some reshuffles are possible," he said.
Both the prime minister and the parliament are generally satisfied with the current government's performance, Usupashvili said. "Therefore, we don't expect any serious changes," he added.
"It is too early to talk about who is going to be the next prime minister. Let's think about who is going to be the next president," he said.