New Georgia PM Names First Cabinet

Georgia's new Prime Minister Vano Merabishvili named his first cabinet on Tuesday as the governing party prepares for crucial parliamentary polls in the ex-Soviet state in autumn.

Merabishvili appointed former defense minister Bacho Akhalaia as Georgia's interior ministry chief and former education minister Dmitri Shashkin to head defense, a presidency spokeswoman said.

Khatia Dekanoidze was named as education minister and Dali Khomeriki as minister responsible for refugee issues, while Paata Trapaidze will take the new position of employment minister.

All other ministers, including Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze, are to remain in their posts.

"The composition of the new cabinet and the government's program have been submitted to parliament for approval," presidency spokeswoman Natia Bandzeladze told Agence France Presse.

Parliament is expected to approve the appointments later in the day.

Former interior minister Merabishvili was named premier on Saturday in a surprise pre-poll move intended to bolster the government as it faces a strong challenge from an opposition coalition led by billionaire tycoon Bidzina Ivanishvili.

The premiership is currently a limited role but will become politically pivotal after constitutional changes reduce the presidency's executive powers next year.

One of Georgia's most powerful politicians, Merabishvili oversaw popular and internationally-praised police reforms which eradicated bribe-taking but was also criticized for using force to break up demonstrations in 2011 and 2007.

Western ally Georgia will vote for a new parliament in autumn, with tycoon Ivanishvili vowing to oust President Mikheil Saakashvili's governing party.