Vano Merabishvili has been appointed as Prime Minister and now he has to nominate his cabinet. How would you assess Merabishvili’s promotion and which minister do you think should left their post?
Monday, July 2
“I think Merabishvili was a powerful Minister of Internal Affairs and he was highly respected by his team but becoming a Prime Minister he sacrifices his image. I don’t approve of the Minister reshuffle because I dislike almost all the acting Ministers in the Georgian government but first of all I would dismiss Khatuna Kalmakhelidze, from the Ministry of Correction and Legal Issues – I think she is not sensitive enough to feel the problems of detainees.”
Mamuka, Doctor, 47
“I don’t think Merabishvili was promoted, on the contrary I am disappointed that he was appointed as the PM. For me he is not the sort of a person who can spend government sessions discussing the priorities of the country with his colleagues. Moreover, the PM in our country is just a marionette – we all know well that Mikheil Saakashvili is not only the president but PM, Mayor, agricultural expert, tourism manager and everything else. So I think Merabishvili will find it hard to be dependent of Misha, which would not leave the habit of interfering into others’ affairs.”
Tamar, Historian, 51
“Merabishvili seems to be a good “leader” and I think he would manage to wake up the Georgian government. I found him a strong personality who is used to obeying his personnel. This is exactly what our ministries lack so much, besides everyone knew well that it was Merabishvili who ruled the country and now this will simply be open. As for other ministers I would suggest dismissing Minister of Education and Science Dimitri Shashkin, Minister of Corrections and Legal Affairs Khatuna Kamlakhelidze, Minister of Agriculture Bakur Kvezereli and unfortunately all of them because I think none of our acting ministers know his or her field at all.”
Elene, Law Student, 23
“I think Merabishvili performed a serious role for the current Georgian leader. However, he contributed much in creating a fear syndrome in society. As for who might replace him, I think that he/she will be who Merabishvili wishes to see as the Interior Minister. I think she will be Eka Zghuladze, Deputy Interior Minister and not Bacho Akhalaia as it's is being speculated. I think Zghuladze, as in case if Akhalaia takes the position, there might be controversy inside and Saakashvili will not let this happen.”
Anna, Journalist, 35
“I can not make any comment concerning the issue as I have no assessments regarding what is going on.”
Bachana, a company employee, 22
Mamuka, Doctor, 47
“I don’t think Merabishvili was promoted, on the contrary I am disappointed that he was appointed as the PM. For me he is not the sort of a person who can spend government sessions discussing the priorities of the country with his colleagues. Moreover, the PM in our country is just a marionette – we all know well that Mikheil Saakashvili is not only the president but PM, Mayor, agricultural expert, tourism manager and everything else. So I think Merabishvili will find it hard to be dependent of Misha, which would not leave the habit of interfering into others’ affairs.”
Tamar, Historian, 51
“Merabishvili seems to be a good “leader” and I think he would manage to wake up the Georgian government. I found him a strong personality who is used to obeying his personnel. This is exactly what our ministries lack so much, besides everyone knew well that it was Merabishvili who ruled the country and now this will simply be open. As for other ministers I would suggest dismissing Minister of Education and Science Dimitri Shashkin, Minister of Corrections and Legal Affairs Khatuna Kamlakhelidze, Minister of Agriculture Bakur Kvezereli and unfortunately all of them because I think none of our acting ministers know his or her field at all.”
Elene, Law Student, 23
“I think Merabishvili performed a serious role for the current Georgian leader. However, he contributed much in creating a fear syndrome in society. As for who might replace him, I think that he/she will be who Merabishvili wishes to see as the Interior Minister. I think she will be Eka Zghuladze, Deputy Interior Minister and not Bacho Akhalaia as it's is being speculated. I think Zghuladze, as in case if Akhalaia takes the position, there might be controversy inside and Saakashvili will not let this happen.”
Anna, Journalist, 35
“I can not make any comment concerning the issue as I have no assessments regarding what is going on.”
Bachana, a company employee, 22