Political analyst Irakli Melashvili says the creation of the State Minister’s Office for Regional Policy is aimed not at genuine regional development or decentralization, but at strengthening central control ahead of elections.
Speaking to BMG, Melashvili argued that appointing a former security official, Mamuka Mdinaradze, to oversee regional policy indicates that the government’s priority is consolidating power between central and local authorities.
“Regional development has nothing to do with this decision. The ruling party is preparing for elections and needs maximum consolidation between central and local government bodies. This is another step toward greater centralization,” Melashvili said.
He also criticized the separation of regional development from the infrastructure sector, saying that the current model leaves the body responsible for policy-making without the financial tools needed to implement it. According to him, regional and municipal development funds remain under the Infrastructure Ministry, making the system ineffective.
The government announced that the State Minister’s Office for Regional Policy will be established from September, with Mamuka Mdinaradze serving as the minister and deputy prime minister. The move will also lead to the abolition of the Regional Development Ministry, while its current head Kakha Guldedani will return to the Infrastructure Ministry as first deputy minister.
