Vice Presidents of Georgia

The position of Vice President in Georgia existed for a brief but significant period during the country’s early years of independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Unlike many countries where the vice presidency is a long-standing constitutional office, Georgia had only one individual who formally served as Vice President before the role was abolished.

Aleksandre Kavsadze (1992–1995)

Aleksandre Kavsadze was the only person to hold the office of Vice President of Georgia. He served from 1992 to 1995 during a turbulent time in the nation’s history. After Georgia declared independence in 1991, the country faced political instability, internal conflict, and economic challenges. The early 1990s were marked by civil unrest and territorial disputes in regions such as Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Kavsadze served under President Eduard Shevardnadze, who became head of state following the ousting of the country’s first president, Zviad Gamsakhurdia. Shevardnadze, a former Soviet foreign minister, returned to Georgia to stabilize the nation and guide it through its transition to independence.

As Vice President, Kavsadze’s responsibilities were largely supportive and advisory. His role included assisting the president in governance, representing the government at official events when required, and contributing to policy discussions. However, due to the extraordinary political environment of the time, the vice presidency did not develop into a highly visible or influential institution.

Abolition of the Office

In 1995, Georgia adopted a new constitution that restructured the country’s political system. Under this constitution, the office of Vice President was abolished. The revised framework strengthened the presidency and clarified the separation of powers among branches of government. Since then, Georgia has not reinstated the vice presidency.

Instead, succession arrangements were handled differently. In later constitutional reforms, particularly after 2018, Georgia transitioned toward a more parliamentary system. The president’s role became largely ceremonial, while executive power shifted primarily to the prime minister and the government.

Historical Significance

Although Georgia had only one Vice President, the existence of the office reflects the experimental nature of governance during the country’s early independence. The early 1990s were a formative period, as Georgia worked to establish democratic institutions and recover from instability.

Today, Georgia operates under a parliamentary republic system, and there is no vice president in its current political structure. The brief history of the vice presidency remains an important chapter in understanding the evolution of Georgia’s constitutional and political development.