The Mayor of Tbilisi is the head of the executive branch of the government of Tbilisi, the capital and largest city of Georgia. The office is responsible for the administration of municipal services, the management of the city’s budget, and the implementation of local policies as defined by the Local Self-Government Code of Georgia.
Legal Status and Election
The Mayor of Tbilisi serves as the highest-ranking official within the Tbilisi Municipality. Since 2010, the mayor has been directly elected by the residents of Tbilisi through a universal, equal, and secret ballot. Prior to this reform, the mayor was appointed by the President of Georgia or elected by the Tbilisi City Assembly (Sakrebulo).
The mayoral term is four years. To be eligible for the position, a candidate must be a citizen of Georgia who has reached the age of 25 and has resided in Georgia for at least five years.
Functions and Responsibilities
The mayor’s primary responsibilities include:
- Executive Administration: Overseeing the Tbilisi City Hall and its various departments, including transport, infrastructure, environmental protection, and social services.
- Budgetary Oversight: Drafting the municipal budget and submitting it to the Tbilisi City Assembly for approval.
- Urban Development: Directing urban planning, public works, and the maintenance of municipal property.
- Representation: Representing the city in official capacities and inter-municipal relations, both domestically and internationally.
Historical Context
The governance of Tbilisi has undergone several transitions reflecting Georgia's political history. During the Russian Empire, the city was led by a "City Head" (Golova). During the Soviet period, executive power was vested in the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Tbilisi City Council of People's Deputies.
Following Georgia's restoration of independence in 1991, the administrative structure was reorganized. The transition to a directly elected mayoralty in 2010 was a significant shift in the city's governance, intended to increase local accountability. The first directly elected mayor was Gigi Ugulava. He was succeeded by Davit Narmania in 2014. The current incumbent, Kakha Kaladze, was first elected in 2017 and won re-election in 2021.
Relationship with the City Assembly
The Mayor of Tbilisi works in conjunction with the Tbilisi City Assembly (Sakrebulo), which acts as the representative and legislative body of the city. While the mayor holds executive authority, the Assembly exercises oversight, approves the budget, and confirms certain municipal appointments. Under certain legal conditions, the Assembly has the power to initiate a vote of no confidence against the mayor.