Newly elected Tbilisi mayor officially takes up post, names deputies

Newly-elected Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze officially began work in his post on Monday, The Messenger Online reports.

While speaking with journalists, Kaladze thanked his supporters and noted he plans to launch several important projects during his tenure as a Mayor. 

Kaladzealso announced a reorganization of City Hall, naming four new deputies to his team. Irakli Khmaladze, Kaladze’s colleague from the Energy Ministry, was named as a Vice-Mayor. Maia Bitadze, a former Deputy Minister of the Environment, will work as a Deputy Mayor along with Giga Nikoleishvili, who previously served as a Deputy Mayor during the previous administration of David Narmania. 

Another new face added by Kaladze is Irakli Bendeliani, who will serve in as-yet-unnamed capacity. According to his official bio, Bendeliani has previous experience in the economic and infrastructure fields. 

Kaladze said that he plans to name Energy Minister Ilia Eloshvili to his cabinet after the Energy Ministry merges with the Ministry of Economy. 

“I will introduce the rest of my team members soon and I hope that we all will manage to transform Tbilisi into a city full of life as quickly as possible,” said Kaladze. 

Former Mayor Narmania met with his successor in City Hall and wished Kaladze, a former footballer-turned-politician, success in his future activities.