GEORGIA: Georgian parliament has approved Lado Gurgenidze, nominated by president Saakashvili, as a new country's prime minister

Georgian parliament has approved Lado Gurgenidze, nominated by president Saakashvili, as a new country's prime minister Georgia's parliament on Thursday (November 22) approved a new prime minister ahead of a January 5 election called by President Mikhail Saakashvili in an attempt to calm a political crisis in the ex-Soviet state. Saakashvili, who called the presidential election to pacify protesters demanding his resignation, last week nominated the Western-educated Lado Gurgenidze, previously head of the country's largest bank, as prime minister. Parliament approved a new government with 155 in favour. Opposition deputies in the 225-seat parliament refused to take part the debate. Georgia was earlier this month rocked by political turmoil when Saakashvili crushed opposition protests and imposed emergency rule, which was lifted last Friday. 36-year old Gurgenidze, said political stability was crucial for further economic growth in Georgia, whose economy has tripled in dollar terms since Saakashvili came to power in 2003. "Our priority at this stage should be overcoming poverty and ensuring sustainable development. Worthy life, high living standards, integration of each of us into the society and progress are impossible without it, " said Gurgenidze presenting his programme to the parliament. Saakashvili is due to step down before November 26 in order to be registered as a candidate for the presidential election. His powers would then pass to parliament's speaker, according to the constitution. Georgian opposition leaders have called for a fresh mass demonstration on November 25 to protest against a ban on Imedi, the main opposition television station which was taken off air by the authorities earlier this month. Gurgenidze said the government planned to liberalise the economy further and vowed to address social unrest by creating jobs, cutting taxes and implementing various social programmes. "This government or key members of this government anyway, have very strong libertarian leanings and I think this will be seen and well noticed by those who will continue to observe our actions," said Gurgenidze after parliament approved him as a new prime minister. He said more attention would be paid to exports and named agriculture, tourism, hydro-power, transport and financial services as the most attractive sectors of the economy. Gurgenidze pledged a balanced budget from 2009 to curb double-digit inflation and attract foreign investors. Observers say social and economic hardship played a key role in the mass protests earlier this month.

ITN Source | November 24, 2007

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