Georgian legislature confirms 31-year-old Gharibashvili as new PM

The Georgian parliament on Wednesday confirmed with a confidence vote Irakli Gharibashvili as new prime minister, succeeding retiring billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili.

Out of those present, 93 lawmakers voted for the 31-year-old prime minister-designate, while 19 voted against.

The Georgia legislature consists of 150 lawmakers. Last year's legislative polls saw the then opposition coalition Georgian Dream- Democratic Georgia win 85 seats, while former ruling United National Movement party too 65 seats.

Since then, 14 lawmakers have defected from the now opposition party, including one who did so after the Nov. 17 presidential inauguration.

Ivanishvili voluntarily departed from his office after having served one year and 25 days. The 31-year-old new prime minister was Georgia's interior minister before being designated as the prime minister by Bidzina Ivanishvili.

Irakli Gharibashvili was Georgia's interior minister before being designated as the prime minister by Bidzina Ivanishvili.