On 8 September the Georgian parliament approved the appointment of Giorgi Gakharia to become the country’s Prime Minister with 98 votes in favor and 0 against. The United National Movement (UNM) party was present at the voting, but did not participate, while European Georgia parliamentary members walked out. Members of the Alliance of Patriots party also refused to participate in the voting, citing “criminal cohabitation” between Georgian Dream and the UNM as the reason.
At his appointment, Gakharia spoke about his government’s policy priorities. He said that security is the fundamental basis of Georgia’s development. “The most important component of our security is Georgia’s foreign policy, the country’s pro-Western orientation, and European and Euro-Atlantic integration…The United States is our main strategic partner and there are no limitations in our cooperation,” he said.
He spoke also about relations with Russia, especially regarding the occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), saying that fighting against occupation “needs real deeds,” calling on politicians to end “provocative, populist, irresponsible actions,” which may affect everyday lives of locals living across the occupation line. Gakharia stressed the need of pursuing “clever policy” and “fully utilise the potential of all existing formats against Russia.”
Speaking about economy Gakharia said that the government should ensure "an effective communication" with business which will help strengthen the economy and create jobs. “We should compare ourselves with what we have been before and where we stood yesterday. The goal should be a better future,” he said.
Gakharia also touched on the events from 20-21 June where he was put under pressure to resign from his former post as Interior Minister for legitimizing violence against the protesters. “It is unacceptable for us, when a political force, a responsible political force describes storming the Parliament as freedom of expression. Those people, who… organized the rally, were openly calling for bursting into the state institution,” he said. Gakharia stressed that police officers prevented “a storm against the Parliament” and “saved the state institution.” He noted that his resignation would be equal to pleading guilty. “I do not [believe] myself [to be] guilty,” Gakharia said, adding that he acknowledges his responsibility to the people who sustained injuries during the dispersal.
During the voting, members of the “It's a Shame” movement gathered in front of the Georgian parliament to protest against Gakharia’s appointment. They brought sheep in front of the Parliament building to symbolize the ruling party lawmakers, who, as they claimed, were acting upon Bidzina Ivanishvili’s instructions. A minor scuffle erupted between the protesters and parliamentarian Emzar Kvitsiani of the Alliance of Patriots, as he approached the civic activists and insulted them both verbally and physically. Activists kept calling Kvitsiani, ex-warlord from Kodori Valley in Upper Abkhazia “Slave of Russia” and “traitor.”
