State Minister (Georgian: სახელმწიფო მინისტრი|tr) is a position in the Government of Georgia, which can be introduced by a special law in order to oversee the government's tasks of particular importance. There can be one or several state ministers in the government.[1]
The position of State Minister was introduced in 1995. At that time, the State Minister headed the chancellery of the President of Georgia and was responsible for individual tasks entrusted by the President.[2]
After the introduction of the position of Prime Minister and establishment of the government as an executive agency in 2004, separate from the President, the State Minister became an optional member of the government responsible for specific tasks of particular importance.[3] Since then, the number of State Ministers in various governments of Georgia has varied; some of the former offices include State Minister for Euro-Atlantic Integration (2004–2017) and State Minister on Diaspora Issues of Georgia (2008–2016). As of January 2019, there is only one State Minister in the government of Georgia, that of Reconciliation and Civic Equality.[4]
State ministers
| No. | Name (Born–Died) | Picture | Took office | Left office | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Niko Lekishvili (1947–) | 8 December 1995 | 26 July 1998 | Union of Citizens of Georgia | ||
| 2 | Vazha Lortkipanidze (1949–) | 31 July 1998 | 11 May 2000 | Union of Citizens of Georgia | ||
| 3 | Giorgi Arsenishvili (1942–2010) | 11 May 2000 | 21 December 2001 | Union of Citizens of Georgia | ||
| 4 | Avtandil Jorbenadze (1951–2024) | 21 December 2001 | 27 November 2003 | Union of Citizens of Georgia | ||
| 5 | Zurab Zhvania (1963–2005) | 27 November 2003 | 17 February 2004 | United National Movement |