Giorgi Margvelashvili facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Giorgi Margvelashvili
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გიორგი მარგველაშვილი
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Margvelashvili in 2016
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| 4th President of Georgia | |
| In office 17 November 2013 – 16 December 2018 |
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| Prime Minister | Bidzina Ivanishvili Irakli Garibashvili Giorgi Kvirikashvili Mamuka Bakhtadze |
| Preceded by | Mikheil Saakashvili |
| Succeeded by | Salome Zourabichvili |
| First Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia | |
| In office 23 January 2013 – 18 July 2013 |
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| Prime Minister | Bidzina Ivanishvili |
| Preceded by | Irakli Alasania |
| Succeeded by | Giorgi Kvirikashvili |
| Minister of Education and Science | |
| In office 25 October 2012 – 18 July 2013 |
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| Prime Minister | Bidzina Ivanishvili |
| Preceded by | Khatia Dekanoidze |
| Succeeded by | Tamar Sanikidze |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 September 1969 Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union (now Tbilisi, Georgia) |
| Political party | Independent (2003–present) Burjanadze-Democrats (2003) Strong Georgia (2024–present) |
| Spouses | Anastasia Virsaladze Khatuna Abashidze Maka Chichua (m. 2014) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Tbilisi State University Central European University Georgian National Academy of Sciences |
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Giorgi Margvelashvili (Georgian: გიორგი მარგველაშვილი) was the fourth President of Georgia. He served from November 17, 2013, to December 16, 2018. He was born on September 4, 1969.
Before becoming president, he was a university professor. He led the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs twice. In 2012, he became the Minister of Education and Science. Later, he was also named First Deputy Prime Minister. In 2013, he was chosen as the presidential candidate for the Georgian Dream party. He won the election with 62% of the votes.
When Margvelashvili became president, a new constitution started. This new law gave less power to the president. It gave more power to the Prime Minister and the Parliament. His relationship with the ruling Georgian Dream party became difficult. He was the first president in Georgia not to run for a second term.
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Early Life and Education
Giorgi Margvelashvili was born in Tbilisi, Georgia. His father, Teimuraz Margvelashvili, was an engineer. His mother, Mzeana Gomelauri, was a psychologist.
He studied at Tbilisi State University and finished in 1992. He earned a degree in philosophy. He continued his studies in Budapest, Hungary, at the Central European University. He also studied at the Institute of Philosophy in Georgia. In 1998, he received his doctorate in philosophy. In the early 1990s, he worked as a mountain guide.
Academic Career Highlights
In 1995, Margvelashvili joined the National Democratic Institute in Tbilisi. He worked there as a program consultant. In 2000, he started working at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs. This was a school created by Georgia and the United States.
He was the head, or rector, of the institute two times. First, from 2000 to 2006. Then, again from 2010 to 2012. Between these times, he led the research department. During these years, he often shared his thoughts on Georgian politics.
Political Journey
Giorgi Margvelashvili was not well-known in Georgia until 2012. His first step into politics was in 2003. He joined an opposition group called Burjanadze-Democrats. This was before the parliamentary election.
After the election, there were protests about voting problems. This led to the Rose Revolution and a change in government. His group joined another party, and Margvelashvili left politics for a short time.
In 2008, he worked with Nino Burjanadze again. He was an advisor for her group, the Foundation for Democracy and Development. By 2012, he often spoke against the government of Mikheil Saakashvili. He supported the Georgian Dream party, led by Bidzina Ivanishvili. However, he was not directly involved in their election campaign.
Becoming a Government Minister
The Georgian Dream party won the October 2012 election. Bidzina Ivanishvili became the Prime Minister. Ivanishvili called Margvelashvili "a personal friend" and "an intellectual." On October 25, 2012, Margvelashvili became the Minister of Education and Science.
In February 2013, Ivanishvili also made him First Deputy Prime Minister. As minister, Margvelashvili planned many changes for schools. These included new ways to take graduation exams. He also wanted to give universities more financial freedom.
He was in the news several times during his time as minister. In March 2013, some people said he was interfering in universities. This happened after his ministry stopped the license of Agrarian University. But the license was given back within two weeks. In April 2013, he announced that all 650,000 school students would get free textbooks. This was seen as a good step for students.
Running for President
On May 11, 2013, the Georgian Dream party chose him as their candidate for president. This was for the October 2013 election. Ivanishvili said everyone in the party agreed with this choice.
Margvelashvili left his government job to avoid any unfair advantages during the election. He campaigned actively, and Ivanishvili often appeared with him. On October 27, 2013, Margvelashvili won the election. He received 62% of the votes. After winning, he said that Georgia would continue to build strong ties with Europe. He also said they would work to improve relations with Russia.
Serving as President
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Margvelashvili became the fourth President of Georgia on November 17, 2013. The ceremony took place in Tbilisi. A new constitution also came into effect that day. This new law gave more power to the Prime Minister.
He first chose not to move into the large presidential palace. He preferred a smaller office. However, he later used the palace for some official events. This decision was one reason for public criticism from former Prime Minister Ivanishvili.
Working with the Ruling Party
Margvelashvili's relationship with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili was often difficult. When Giorgi Kvirikashvili became prime minister, he tried to work better with the president. But Margvelashvili remained a challenging figure for the ruling party.
He often criticized the ruling party's plans to change the constitution. He felt these changes would make the presidency weaker. He also said the party was not trying to agree with other political groups. Margvelashvili believed that the ruling party having many seats in parliament could lead to too much power. He tried to stop some constitutional changes, but he eventually signed them. He said he did this for the country's stability.
In 2018, Margvelashvili's term as president ended. He decided not to run for re-election. On December 3, 2018, he met with the new President, Salome Zourabichvili. He called this meeting a good example of a peaceful transfer of power in Georgia.
Youth Engagement Initiatives
During the 2016 Georgian parliamentary election, Margvelashvili supported a big project. This project aimed to get young people more involved in elections. It was started by the Europe-Georgia Institute.
The project was called "Your Voice, Our Future." It began in a village called Bazaleti. President Margvelashvili spoke to the young people there. After this, summer schools were held in 10 different regions of Georgia. These schools taught about civic engagement and voting. Young people visited many cities and towns. They met with locals and explained why voting is important. They also planned fun activities like Flash mobs and plays.
After this campaign, the #Initiative Project was created. This project wanted to build a network of active students. It aimed to encourage active civic life. Over 500 activities were funded in more than 20 regions. Five summer and winter schools were also organized. These helped empower young people across Georgia. As a result, a nationwide network of active young citizens was formed. They now work together on local and national issues.
Supporting Human Rights
During his time as president, Margvelashvili often spoke out for human rights. He believed everyone has the right to express themselves freely. He said that people should respect human rights and freedoms.
Life After Presidency
In January 2019, Margvelashvili returned to the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA). He started teaching courses on politics there. After leaving politics, he and his family mostly lived in the town of Dusheti. He began renting out a small house near his own to tourists. This helped him earn extra income.
In February 2020, he spoke out about a court case involving a former mayor. Margvelashvili said the mayor was a "political prisoner." He also said this situation was against democratic rules in Georgia. On February 17, he announced he would return to politics to oppose the Georgian Dream party.
When former President Mikheil Saakashvili was put in prison in 2021, Margvelashvili worked to help free him. Margvelashvili criticized the prison conditions. In September 2024, he joined the Strong Georgia political group.
Personal Life
Giorgi Margvelashvili speaks Georgian, English, and Russian. He does not often talk about his private life. He has a daughter named Anna (born 1995) from his first marriage.
On September 10, 2014, Margvelashvili married his long-time partner, Maka Chichua. She was born on March 31, 1971. She used to be a makeup artist and sometimes sang or acted. They have two sons: Teimuraz (born 2015) and Toma (born 2018). Maka Chichua also has a daughter from a previous relationship. Margvelashvili enjoys walking, horse-riding, and having friends visit his country house in Dusheti.
See also
In Spanish: Giorgi Margvelashvili para niños
