In Georgia, the position of State Minister for the Coordination of Law Enforcement Agencies will be filled by the former head of the State Security Service (SSG) of Georgia, Mamuka Mdinaradze. However, he will not have a separate office — a staff apparatus — such as that of the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality.
According to Vakhtang Bachiashvili, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Government, organizational, material, and technical support for the State Minister will be provided by the Administration of the Government of Georgia.
During a meeting of the Legal Affairs Committee, he presented amendments to the Law “on the Structure, Powers, and Rules of Operation of the Government of Georgia,” which provide for the introduction of the aforementioned position.
Bachiashvili stated that the position of State Minister is important because it is effective and flexible, allowing the minister to perform the assigned functions without a dedicated staff apparatus. He also added that “this is precisely why he is referred to as a so-called minister without portfolio.”
The government representative explained that the State Minister’s powers will be specified in a government decree, which will outline both current and strategic functions.
“This is a crucial step toward increasing the efficiency of their activities. The introduction of the State Minister position is not a novelty and is characteristic of many countries. Its primary function is to highlight and emphasize a specific direction within the executive branch that is considered a priority,” Bachiashvili noted.
Meanwhile, Parliament will have to consider these amendments through an expedited procedure.
What will this achieve — according to the government?
The changes will ensure the synchronization of services performing law enforcement functions, accelerate relevant decision-making, facilitate the timely preparation of necessary legislative changes, and provide an effective and rapid response to dynamic challenges.
“The policy regulating the law enforcement sphere, as well as approaches and methods for combating crime, require constant improvement and transformation. The existing government structure does not provide for a systemic mechanism for coordinating law enforcement agencies.
At the same time, law enforcement functions are distributed among several agencies. To increase the efficiency of operational coordination in this vital area, a single strategic coordinating body within the government is necessary, as under Georgian law, the government takes measures to ensure public safety and serves as the coordinating body for national security policy planning,” Bachiashvili stated.
He added that the new amendments will ensure strengthened cooperation between law enforcement agencies, facilitate the planning of joint operations, and implement information exchange standards.
“Furthermore, within the framework of the government’s constitutional powers, the State Minister will coordinate with the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia, the State Audit Office, and the judiciary,” he noted.
Additionally, his written resignation from his position at the State Security Service of Georgia has already been submitted to Parliament.
It should be recalled that Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze spoke about personnel changes at a special briefing, stating that then-SSG head Mamuka Mdinaradze would lead a new structure within the Georgian government — becoming the State Minister for the Coordination of Law Enforcement Agencies. Mdinaradze will also hold the post of Vice Prime Minister of the country.
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