Georgia’s Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri resigns

Vakhtang Gomelauri, Georgia’s Minister of Internal Affairs and Vice Prime Minister, on Wednesday officially resigned from his post.

“I would like to inform the public that I have made the decision to step down from the position of Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia. This decision was not easy for me. Since 2011, I have been part of the struggle led by Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili - a movement that brought transformative changes to our country. I deeply value and take pride in all the achievements our country has made under the leadership of the government team. Therefore, I remain loyal to this team”, Gomelauri said.

“In the future, at any time, I am ready to support the state and the ruling team, should the need arise. For more than ten years, I have held high-ranking positions, including Minister of Internal Affairs, Head of the State Security Service, and Deputy Prime Minister. Naturally, serving in such senior government roles over so many years is extremely demanding and requires great energy. Today, in a time of peace and stability in the country, I felt it appropriate to ask the team to relieve me of my duties - this will allow me to devote more time to my family, my wife, children, and my newly born grandchild”, he continued.

Gomelauri thanked Bidzina Ivanishvili, whose trust allowed him to serve the country from the highest state positions.

“His confidence and example gave me a special motivation to perform my duties with integrity and to contribute to strengthening Georgian statehood. I also thank Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and the entire government team for their continued support and for understanding my decision. I express my gratitude to every employee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to every heroic police officer, firefighter, and rescue everyone with whom I worked for years to ensure the safety of our country”, he noted.

“I wish all of them, and the future minister, success in their work ahead. I remain loyal to my country and my team. I wish our country and our government peace, security, and success in achieving all set goals”, Gomelauri concluded.