Sakartvelo

Note: On February 6, 2009, Parliament approved the appointment of Nika Gilauri as the new prime minister by a vote of 106 to 8. The former prime minister Grigol Mgalobishvili, who had served since October 2008, resigned on January 31, 2009, citing health problems.

Note: On October 27, 2008, President Saakashvili announced the appointment of Grigol Mgaloblishvili as prime minister, succeeding Vladimir Gurgenidze, who was described as leaving the premiership as the result of a “joint consensual decision.” Mgaloblishvili, an investment banker and theretofore ambassabor to Turkey, was approved (along with a reshuffled cabinet) by the parliament on November 1, although his position appeared in jeopardy in late December due to friction between him and Saakashvili.

Political Status: Formerly the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic, a constituent republic ...