Irakli Garibashvili, 31, Confirmed as Georgian PM
Georgia's parliament on Wednesday confirmed Irakli Garibashvili as the ex-Soviet state's new prime minister, replacing his close ally billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili as premier.
"The parliament has approved the new government by 93 votes to 19," parliament speaker David Usupashvili said.
The vote will make 31-year-old Garibashvili-- who served as interior minister during Ivanishvili's year in charge -- the youngest serving head of government in Europe.
Garibashvili called the vote "emotional" and thanked his mentor Ivanishvili for choosing him as his handpicked successor.
"I promise to the Georgian people I will continue your path and will serve our people and our country," Garibashvili said just before the vote.
President Giorgi Margvelashvili-- another Ivanishvili loyalist who cruised to victory at polls last month-- will now officially ratify the decision.
Garibashvili takes on the country's most powerful political post as a change to Georgia's constitution last week shifted many key functions from the president to the prime minister.
Almost entirely unknown until his ministerial appointment in October 2012, Garibashvili has worked for Ivanishvili for most of the past decade.
The graduate in international relations from the Sorbonne University in Paris has headed Ivanishvili's charitable foundation and worked at his bank and his rap star son's record label.
Ivanishvili, who has now ensured two supporters are installed in the top jobs, is making good on a pledge to step down after a year at the helm of government.
He has said he intends to move into civil society after leaving office and denies claims that he will continue to call the shots.
Opposition lawmakers from former president Mikheil Saakashvili's party blasted Garibashvili's nomination and criticized his government as inexperienced.
"The opposition voted against this government," Zurab Japaridze from Saakashvili's United National Movement party told Agence France Presse.
"Their program is eclectic and amateurish."
Garibashvili has pledged to push on with his predecessor's policy of seeking membership of the EU and NATO while also trying to improve ties with Russia that were shattered by a brief 2008 war between the countries.
The parliamentary vote also ratified Garibashvili's choice of cabinet.
The only change from Ivanishvili's cabinet is the appointment of 28-year-old Alexander Tchikaidze to replace Garibashvili as interior minister.
Source: Agence France Presse
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