Georgian Dream Resignation Streak: Who Left and Why

Civil.ge

4 days ago

A string of high-level resignations in the Georgian Dream government since spring has raised questions and fueled speculation. Nearly ten senior officials have left their posts, including key ministers, the head of the State Security Service, the leaders of the Adjara and Abkhazia governments, the prosecutor general, and the ruling party chairman. Some exited the GD government or politics altogether, while others were reassigned to less prominent roles. Some of the officials who left their posts came from the personal or business circles of Georgian Dream's billionaire founder, Bidzina Ivanishvili. Part of those who resigned or were dismissed had also been sanctioned by Western governments.
Some have linked the resignations to existing or anticipated Western sanctions, while others have speculated that the reshuffle comes as part of
autocratic consolidation
under GD Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. However,
recent scandals
, including arrests and even shooting incidents involving former GD officials and business figures close to the party, suggest that the ruling party may be grappling with a deeper, more dramatic wave of internal conflict and retribution.
Below, we compiled key resignations from the past months, along with the context surrounding each case:
Resigned on:
April 2, 2025
Replaced by:
Anri Okhanashvili, ex-Justice Minister
Context:
Liluashvili, who had held the position since 2019, was initially removed by the GD Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to lead the new Ministry of Regional Development, saying Liluashvili's term as head of the SSSG would be expiring in October. In a controversial move
two days later
, however, Kobakhidze dropped Liluashvili as a minister pick, citing disagreements about staffing and priorities.
Before joining the Georgian Dream government, Liluashvili held senior positions in several businesses, including Bidzina Ivanishvili's Cartu Group, leading many to view him as part of Ivanishvili's inner circle.
Sanctions:
Ukraine
,
Lithuania
,
Latvia
Resigned on:
April 2, 2025
Replaced by:
Sulkhan Tamazashvili, UK-sanctioned ex-head of Tbilisi Police
Context:
Rizhvadze, who had held the position since 2018,
announced
his resignation via Facebook post, saying that after seven years in office, 'it was time for something new.' In July, months after his resignation, he was hospitalized with a gunshot wound to his chest in what
prosecutors described
as a 'suicide attempt,' while pro-GD media circulated a note where he allegedly said he was accused of corruption and asked Irakli Kobakhidze and Bidzina Ivanishvili to protect his family. The incident followed rumors that Ivanishvili expected him to repay hundreds of millions in USD allegedly gained through corruption. Rizhvadze was later transferred to Turkey for treatment.
Western Sanctions:
Rizhvadze was on the list of Georgian officials whom European Parliament
suggested
sanctioning In a February 2025 resolution.
Resigned on:
April 24
Replaced by:
Revaz Sokhadze
Context:
GD PM Irakli Kobakhidze
announced
in a briefing that Karseladze, who had held the post since 2021, resigned at his own request. Prior to entering government, Karseladze worked in business and international organizations, including a stint at Bidzina Ivanishvili's Cartu Group, placing him among the group of (former) officials associated with the billionaire's personal and business circles.
Sanctions:
Lithuania
,
Ukraine
Resigned on:
April 25
Replaced by:
Irakli Kobakhidze, GD PM
Context:
Irakli Gharibashvili, a dominant figure in Georgian Dream's leadership for over a decade,
announced
on April 25 that he was stepping away from both party and politics entirely. In a press briefing, Gharibashvili said he had 'accomplished' his goals and planned to transition to the private sector to 'test' his abilities in other fields. He added that he wants to 'devote more time' to his family and no longer sees the need to remain in political life.
Gharibashvili, who served as Bidzina Ivanishvili's close aide before Georgian Dream came to power, has held several high-ranking positions since 2012, including two terms as prime minister (2013–2015 and 2021–2024). He stepped down in 2024 to become the ruling party's chair but gradually retreated from the public eye. His exit from politics was preceded by rumors of internal tensions within Georgian Dream, including reports that he had been hospitalized with an injury. The party later claimed he had hurt his arm while exercising.
Sanctions:
Gharibashvili's name has not appeared on any public sanctions list, despite speculation that he may be among the officials subjected to
U.S. visa restrictions
, where the list remains anonymous.
Resigned on:
May 28
Replaced by:
Gela (Geka) Geladze, ex-Deputy Minister of Justice during Anri Okhanashvili's tenure.
Context:
Gomelauri, who had served as interior minister since 2019, cited the toll of years in high-ranking positions among the reasons for his
resignation
. 'Being in high-ranking state positions for so many years is a very labor-intensive task and requires a lot of energy,' he said, noting that the country's current 'calm situation' made it an appropriate moment to step aside, allowing him more time with his family, including his newborn grandchild.
Gomelauri was also among those who entered politics from the close personal circle of Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, having spent years managing his personal security. He was the only GD minister who landed on the U.S. Global Magnitsky list over his role in the crackdown on 2024 demonstrations.
Sanctions:
U.S
.(Global Magnitsky Act)
,
U.K.
,
Ukraine
,
Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia
.
Gomelauri's resignation was followed by a
major reshuffle
in the ministry, which eventually saw the departure of three other notorious officials. That included
Zviad (Khareba) Kharazishvili
, former Head of Special Tasks Department responsible for violent rally dispersal in spring and winter of 2024, as well as two of his deputies –
Mirza Kezevadze
and
Mileri Lagazauri
, all three also sanctioned by the UK as well as the U.S. under Global Magnitsky Act.
Resigned on:
June 2
Replaced by:
Giorgi Jincharadze, ex-GD Deputy Education Minister of Georgia
Context:
Levan Mgaloblishvili
announced
his resignation in a Facebook post on June 2, stating the decision came after 'consultations with the team and the prime minister.' Mgaloblishvili had held the post since September 2024. Prior to that, he served as a member of Parliament during the 9th and 10th convocations (2019–2024).
Further resignations:
The resignation of Lasha Kardava, who served as health minister in the government-in-exile, followed in July.
Resigned on:
June 11
Replaced by:
Giorgi Gvarakidze
Context:
The resignation occurred as part of a reshuffle in which Gabitashvili, who had held the post since 2024, was appointed as the country's new Chief Auditor, replacing Tsotne Kavlashvili, who took on the role of Deputy Finance Minister. When presenting Gabitashvili's nomination, Speaker Papuashvili emphasized the State Audit Office's crucial role in preventing the misuse of public funds. However, the move was widely perceived as a demotion for Gabitashvili, who had been subject to heavy sanctions by the United Kingdom.
Sanctions:
UK
(Economic sanctions, Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulation),
Estonia
.
Resigned on:
June 24
Replaced by:
Mariam Kvrivishvili, ex-deputy Minister of Economy
Context:
Davitashvili, who had held the position since 2022, was
removed
by Georgian Dream MP Irakli Kobakhidze and reassigned as Kobakhidze's chief adviser on economic affairs and Secretary of the Economic Council, a move widely viewed as a demotion. His reassignment came shortly after the
arrest
of former First Deputy Economy Minister Romeo Mikautadze, who served under Davitashvili, among others, on corruption-related charges
Davitashvili had emerged as a key Georgian Dream official amid Tbilisi's growing international isolation, gaining attention for his perceived role in attempting to ease strained ties with Western partners. That included his May
official U.S. visit
, where he met with representatives of the U.S. State Department. Some critics viewed Davitashvili's removal as Georgian Dream's final abandonment of efforts to improve relations with the West, including the United States.
Sanctions:
None reported
Weeks after Davitashvili's resignation, several Economy Ministry officials also left their posts, including
Levan Gamkrelidze, head of the Land Transport Agency; Giorgi Chikovani, head of the Oil and Gas Corporation
; and
Aleksi Akhvlediani, head of the Maritime Transport Agency
. Akhvlediani resigned after
being charged
with negligent storage of the firearm in Tornike Rizhvadze's gunshot incident.
Resigned on:
June 30
Replaced by:
Givi Mikanadze
Context:
Tsuladze, who had served as Minister of Education since October 2024, said
resignation
was a 'personal decision.' He was replaced by controversial GD lawmaker Givi Mikanadze, who had held offices under United National Movement administration, including serving as deputy justice minister in 2005-2008.
Tsuladze's resignation occurred amid Georgian Dream's announced higher education reform, which critics fear is aimed at purging academia of personnel critical of the party. The details of the reform are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.
Nino Baindurashvili/Civil.ge