Reorganization Underway at Lanchkhuti District Administration

Nino Mshvidobadze, Guria

After the Parliamentary Election of October 1, 2012, Lanchkhuti district has had new interim governor – Zaza Urushadze. Representatives of the local organization of the National Movement blame him in employing new people in the administration according to political party membership. However, the new governor categorically denies the accusation.

Reportedly, Lanchkhuti district majoritarian MP Temur Chkhaidze offered the position to Zaza Urushadze. 

“It took too long to persuade him to leave business and join public service,” Temur Chkheidze said when nominating Zaza Urushadze on the position.

Members of the municipal board unanimously supported Urushadze’s candidature on the position of the interim governor.

Chairman of the local organization of the UNM and former deputy governor Kakha Askurava told humanrights.ge that after elections people are employed at the district administration according to their party affiliations. “Current government used to blame us in employing people according to their party membership but now they do the same. [New district governor] appoints his family members and party members on the positions. It is unpleasant tendency,” Askurava said.

Interim district governor Zaza Urushadze categorically denied the accusation.

Official information provided by the district administration states that heads of different service units at the administration are members of both ruling party and parliamentary and non-parliamentary political parties.

For example, head of the division for sport and youth affairs is member of the Georgian Dream’s youth branch; head of economic division is leader of the Republic Party’s local office; an employee of the Veteran’s Division is leader of the Democratic Georgia’s local office; district deputy governor is member of the Democratic Georgia too; employees of the Culture Division is member of the National Movement. 

Humanrights.ge asked head of Ozurgeti office of the Young Lawyers’ Association Tamaz Trapaidze how the employment of the party members is regulated by the law.

“In accordance to the Law on Public Service, people shall occupy positions in public agencies via competition. Georgian Dream, like United National Movement in its time, found a solution and appointed people to the positions as interim governors. According to the amendments to the law, a person can occupy position of interim public servant only for three months,” Trapaidze said.