Mamuka Mdinaradze Resigns From Minister’s Post, Quits Politics

Mamuka Mdinaradze, a prominent Georgian Dream figure and former State Security Service chief who most recently served as Minister of Regional Development, announced his resignation from the post and his decision to quit politics. While he did not give a specific reason, he said the decision was his own and that he wanted to devote more time to his family.

The surprise announcement came during a briefing on August 27, despite earlier plans for Mdinaradze to assume the yet-to-be-created post of “State Minister for Regional Policy.” The decision also follows recent allegations by jailed former Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili that Mdinaradze was involved in efforts to pressure him to stay out of politics by forcing him to take the blame in a corruption case.

“I made a decision to quit the post and, in principle, politics too,” Mdinaradze said during the briefing, thanking the Georgian Dream team, from Bidzina Ivanishvili, the ruling party founder and honorary chairman, to “down to foot soldiers.”

“For me, these ten years that I spent in politics were ten years of hard work, loyalty to the homeland, and working alongside friends on a great cause for the country,” he said. “I, of course, thank my family, to whom I want to devote more attention.”

Mdinaradze said he spoke to Ivanishvili and GD Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze prior to announcing his decision, claiming the two did not initially approve of the move.

Mdinaradze, who had served as a Georgian Dream lawmaker in 2016-2025, held several prominent positions in parliament over the years, including as leader of the ruling party’s parliamentary majority, before being appointed Head of the State Security Service in September 2025.

He left the State Security Service post in April to assume the specially created position of State Minister for Coordination of Law Enforcement Bodies. Months later, in July, it was announced that he would serve as State Minister for Regional Policy, a yet-to-be-created position that would entail abolishing both his current post and the Ministry of Regional Development.

Until parliament was to approve the relevant changes during its fall session, however, Mdinaradze was moved to temporarily serve as Minister of Regional Development.

Mdinaradze’s name came up in August in a series of statements by jailed ex-PM Garibashvili, who alleged that a group within the Georgian Dream leadership had pressured him to stay out of politics by confessing to an anticipated corruption charge. Garibashvili cited a letter sent to him by Mdinaradze, even if initially claiming that it had been sent to him “on Ivanishvili’s instruction.” Mdinaradze denied being behind the letter.

Authorities announced charging Garibashvili with bribery on August 24, days after the ex-PM made allegations.

Also Read:

• 23/04/2026 – Mdinaradze Says State Security Service Increased Wiretapping
• 11/02/2026 – SSSG Says Its Chief Mamuka Mdinaradze Visited U.S.