Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

A first session of Georgia's parliament after the legislative poll held early this month will be held in Kutaisi on October 21, the leader of the winning opposition bloc said Tuesday.

"We decided to hold the first session on October 21, not on the 20th, so that the building could be brought into order," Georgian Dream coalition leader Bidzina Ivanishvili told journalists.

The session will terminate the powers of the seventh convocation, recognize the new deputy mandates and elect parliamentary speaker and vice speaker, committee chairs and members. After that the new Cabinet of Ministers will be presented for approval.

Georgia's parliamentary poll was held on October 1 through a mixed election system with the participation of 14 parties and two political blocs. The new parliament will comprise 85 representatives from Georgian Dream and 65 from incumbent President Mikheil Saakashvili's United National Movement, according to the electoral commission's complete preliminary tallies.

Saakashvili has called on the current parliament to approve the new government of the country as soon as possible, the Georgian president's website said.

"This is the will of the people and we will cooperate with any entity which represents the majority," the statement said. "I hope that the procedures stipulated by the Constitution will be completed as soon as possible to approve the new government."

Saakashvili said he would like for parliamentary opposition to continue to play the role of a "watchdog" for the authorities. "I am limited in this, as acting President," he added.

Meanwhile, the Georgian President's spokesperson Manana Manjgaladze said at a press briefing on Tuesday that Saakashvili had signed decrees to appoint new governors.

Labor, Health and Social Protection Minister Zurab Chiaberashvili became the governor of Kakheti, while former Agriculture Minister Zaza Gorozia will serve as governor of Samegrelo, MP Giorgi Chelidze was appointed governor of Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and acting Energy Minister Vakhtang Balavadze became the Imereti governor.

Georgian Dream leader Ivanishvili has already introduced candidates for ministerial posts in the new Georgian government.