Giorgi Margvelashvili
Giorgi Margvelashvili (Georgian: გიორგი მარგველაშვილი; born 4 September 1969) is a Georgian academic and politician who was the fourth president of Georgia, in office from 17 November 2013 to 16 December 2018.
Giorgi Margvelashvili | |
|---|---|
გიორგი მარგველაშვილი | |
Margvelashvili in 2018 | |
| 4th President of Georgia | |
| In office 17 November 2013 – 16 December 2018 | |
| Prime Minister | Bidzina Ivanishvili Irakli Garibashvili Giorgi Kvirikashvili Mamuka Bakhtadze |
| Preceded by | Mikheil Saakashvili |
| Succeeded by | Salome Zourabichvili |
| First Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia | |
| In office 23 January 2013 – 18 July 2013 | |
| Prime Minister | Bidzina Ivanishvili |
| Preceded by | Irakli Alasania |
| Succeeded by | Giorgi Kvirikashvili |
| Minister of Education and Science | |
| In office 25 October 2012 – 18 July 2013 | |
| Prime Minister | Bidzina Ivanishvili |
| Preceded by | Khatia Dekanoidze |
| Succeeded by | Tamar Sanikidze |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 September 1969 Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union (now Tbilisi, Georgia) |
| Political party | Independent (2003-present) Burjanadze-Democrats (2003) |
| Spouse(s) | Unknown marriage (c. 1990s) Maka Chichua (m. 2014) |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Tbilisi Palace |
| Alma mater | Tbilisi State University Central European University Georgian National Academy of Sciences |
| Signature | |
Having studied philosophy in university, he was twice the rector of the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs from 2000 to 2006 and again from 2010 to 2012. In October 2012, he became a member of the newly formed cabinet of Bidzina Ivanishvili as Minister of Education and Science of Georgia. In February 2013, he was additionally appointed as First Deputy Prime Minister. Margvelashvili was named by the Ivanishvili-led Georgian Dream coalition as its presidential candidate in May 2013 and he won the October 2013 presidential election with 62% of votes.
With Margvelashvili's election, a new constitution came into effect, significantly curtailing the president's powers in favor of the Prime Minister and the Parliament. Shortly thereafter, Margvelashvili's relations with Ivanishvili and the ruling Georgian Dream party leadership soured to the point of a full split. During his tenure, Margvelashvili tried to be a voice of moderation and was critical of the Georgian Dream's consolidation of power. He was the first president in Georgia's history not to seek reelection for a second term.