Irakli Garibashvili facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Irakli Garibashvili
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ირაკლი ღარიბაშვილი
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Garibashvili in 2023
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| Chairman of Georgian Dream | |
| Assumed office 1 February 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Irakli Kobakhidze |
| In office 15 November 2013 – 30 December 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Bidzina Ivanishvili |
| Succeeded by | Giorgi Kvirikashvili |
| 11th & 15th Prime Minister of Georgia | |
| In office 22 February 2021 – 29 January 2024 |
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| President | Salome Zourabichvili |
| Deputy | Thea Tsulukiani Levan Davitashvili |
| Preceded by | Giorgi Gakharia |
| Succeeded by | Irakli Kobakhidze |
| In office 20 November 2013 – 30 December 2015 |
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| President | Giorgi Margvelashvili |
| Deputy | Giorgi Kvirikashvili Kakha Kaladze |
| Preceded by | Bidzina Ivanishvili |
| Succeeded by | Giorgi Kvirikashvili |
| Minister of Defence | |
| In office 8 September 2019 – 22 February 2021 |
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| Prime Minister | Giorgi Gakharia |
| Preceded by | Levan Izoria |
| Succeeded by | Juansher Burchuladze |
| Minister of Internal Affairs | |
| In office 25 October 2012 – 17 November 2013 |
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| Prime Minister | Bidzina Ivanishvili |
| Preceded by | Ekaterine Zguladze (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Aleksandre Chikaidze |
| Political Secretary of Georgian Dream | |
| In office 5 March 2019 – 1 February 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Gia Volski |
| Succeeded by | Irakli Kobakhidze |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 June 1982 Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Political party | Independent 2024–present) Georgian Dream (2012–2015, 2019–2024) |
| Spouse | Nunuka Tamazashvili |
| Children | Nikoloz Andria Gabriel Nino |
| Alma mater | Tbilisi State University Pantheon-Sorbonne University |
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Irakli Garibashvili (Georgian: ირაკლი ღარიბაშვილი, born 28 June 1982) is a well-known Georgian politician. He has served as the Prime Minister of Georgia two times. His first term was from 2013 to 2015. His second term was from 2021 to 2024.
Garibashvili is a member of the Georgian Dream political party. He became the party's chairman in February 2024. Before becoming Prime Minister, he held other important roles. He was the Minister of Defence from 2019 to 2021. He also served as the Minister of Internal Affairs from 2012 to 2013. When he first became Prime Minister in 2013, he was 31 years old. This made him the youngest person to hold that position in Georgia.
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Early Life and Education
Irakli Garibashvili grew up in Dedoplistsqaro, Georgia. He went to secondary school there from 1988 to 1999. After high school, he studied International Relations. He attended Tbilisi State University (TSU) from 1999 to 2005. He earned a master's degree from TSU. He also studied in France at the Pantheon-Sorbonne University from 2002 to 2004.
After finishing his studies, Garibashvili started working with Bidzina Ivanishvili. Ivanishvili is a very wealthy businessman. Garibashvili worked for several of Ivanishvili's companies. He also became the Director General of Ivanishvili's charity foundation, Cartu. Later, he directed the "Georgian Dream" music label. This label was started by Ivanishvili's son, Bera.
Beginning His Political Journey
Irakli Garibashvili entered politics in 2012. This was when Bidzina Ivanishvili created his political party. The party was called Georgian Dream–Democratic Georgia. Garibashvili was one of the first members of the party. He helped lead the party's review committee.
In October 2012, the Georgian Dream party won the parliamentary election. Garibashvili became a member of the Parliament of Georgia. This was his first step into a major political role.
Minister of Internal Affairs
After the Georgian Dream party won the election, Garibashvili got a new job. On 25 October 2012, he became the Minister of Internal Affairs. He was 30 years old at the time. This made him the youngest person in Georgia's new government.
The Interior Ministry is a very important agency. It oversees the police, security services, and border guards. The Georgian Dream party had promised to make changes to this ministry. They wanted to make it more fair and less political.
Garibashvili worked to make the ministry more neutral. He removed certain departments that were seen as too political. He also oversaw the destruction of many illegal surveillance files. These files had been collected by the previous government.
First Term as Prime Minister (2013–2015)
In November 2013, Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili decided to step down. He chose Irakli Garibashvili to be his replacement. On 20 November 2013, the Parliament of Georgia voted to approve Garibashvili. He became the new Prime Minister.
At 31, he was the youngest Prime Minister in Georgia's history. The country's constitution had changed. This gave more power to the Prime Minister and the government. Garibashvili promised to improve Georgia's economy. He also said that joining the European Union (EU) and NATO would be top goals.
On 24 November 2013, he also became the chairman of the Georgian Dream party. He resigned from his position as Prime Minister on 23 December 2015. He was replaced by Giorgi Kvirikashvili.
Government Actions
During his first term, Garibashvili started new government groups. He created the Security and Crisis Management Council. This council helps the country deal with emergencies. He also set up the Economic Council. This group helps coordinate Georgia's economic plans.
Human Rights Focus
Garibashvili's government also focused on human rights. They started a Human Rights Strategy and Action Plan. The European Union supported this plan. It was designed to last for seven years. This meant it would continue even if new leaders came into power.
Foreign Relations
Garibashvili traveled to many countries as Prime Minister. He visited nearby countries like Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. He also went to several European nations, the United States, and China. He attended many international meetings.
A major achievement was the EU-Georgia Association Agreement. This agreement was signed on 27 June 2014. It helped Georgia get closer to the European Union. It also aimed to make it easier for Georgians to travel to the Schengen Area without a visa.
Return to Private Life
After his first term as Prime Minister, Garibashvili worked in the private sector. In February 2018, he became an adviser for a Chinese energy company called CEFC China Energy.
Second Term as Prime Minister (2021–2024)
Becoming Prime Minister Again
In February 2021, Georgia's Prime Minister, Giorgi Gakharia, resigned. This happened after a court ordered the arrest of a political opposition leader. The ruling Georgian Dream party chose Irakli Garibashvili to take his place. On 22 February, the Parliament of Georgia voted to appoint him.
Domestic Policies
Water Power Plant Project
Garibashvili's government stopped the construction of the Namakhvan HPP. This was a large water power plant project. Many local people protested against it. They were worried about the environment. Garibashvili listened to the public's concerns. He announced that the project would not continue under its original contract.
Gambling Rules
In December 2021, Garibashvili's government passed a new law about gambling. This law made gambling rules much stricter. It raised the age limit for gambling to 25. It also banned gambling for public workers and people with gambling problems. The law also stopped most gambling advertisements. Garibashvili said that gambling addiction was a big problem for many people.
Proposed Foreign Agents Law
In March 2023, the Georgian parliament considered a "foreign agents law." This law would label organizations receiving more than 20% of their money from outside Georgia as "agents of foreign influence." Garibashvili supported this bill. However, many people protested against it. After large protests, the government decided to withdraw the bill.
New Surrogacy Law
In June 2023, Prime Minister Garibashvili announced a new surrogacy law. This law would ban commercial surrogacy. It would also stop people from other countries from using surrogacy services in Georgia. Garibashvili said this law was to protect Georgian women and children.
Resignation
On 29 January 2024, Irakli Garibashvili announced his resignation. He said it was important to allow others a chance to lead. He also shared that he would become the chairman of the Georgian Dream party.
Foreign Relations
During his second term, Garibashvili continued to focus on foreign policy. He visited Brussels, the capital of the European Union. He met with leaders there to strengthen Georgia's ties with Europe. He also visited countries like Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, and China.
He met with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They discussed how to make their countries' relationship stronger. Garibashvili also spoke at the United Nations in New York. He offered to help improve relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
In October 2021, the US Defense Secretary visited Georgia. Garibashvili met him to discuss defense cooperation. In 2022, he met with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. They talked about increasing oil transport from Azerbaijan through Georgia.
In December 2022, a new oil terminal project was decided in Davos. This project involves Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary. It will help transport oil and is expected to be ready by 2027.
In May 2023, Garibashvili attended a conference in Hungary. He spoke about his support for traditional values. He also praised Hungary's Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán. In July 2023, he visited Croatia. This was the first time a Georgian Prime Minister visited Croatia. They discussed strengthening economic ties.
Applying to Join the European Union
In March 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. Because of this, Georgia worried about its own safety. Prime Minister Garibashvili signed Georgia's application to join the European Union (EU). This showed Georgia's desire for closer ties with Europe.
In June 2022, the European Council said Georgia could become a candidate for EU membership. This would happen after Georgia completed certain reforms.
Political Views
Irakli Garibashvili is known as a conservative politician. In 2014, he suggested defining marriage in Georgia's constitution. He wanted it to be only between a man and a woman. This was to address concerns from conservative groups.
He believes the government should play an active role in the economy. He has said that countries do not develop well by just letting things happen on their own. He also believes Georgia should become more self-sufficient economically.
Garibashvili was against making COVID-19 vaccination mandatory. He said that Georgian citizens should have the freedom to choose.
Personal Life
Irakli Garibashvili is married to Nunuka Tamazashvili. They have four children together. Their sons are Nikoloz, Andria, and Gabriel. They also have a daughter named Nino.
Besides Georgian, Garibashvili can speak English, French, and Russian.
Honors
On 23 August 2021, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, gave Garibashvili an award. It was the first degree order of merit. This happened during the Crimea Platform summit.
Images for kids
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Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili meets Victoria Nuland, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, December 2013
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Garibashvili making a speech in the Parliament of Georgia, June 2021
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Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili, May 2022
See also
In Spanish: Irakli Garibashvili para niños
