Georgian ruling party nominates its leader as new prime minister ahead of elections

FILE PHOTO: Irakli Kobakhidze, parliament speaker nominee, attends the first session of the newly elected parliament in Kutaisi, Georgia, November 18, 2016. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili/File Photo

TBILISI (Reuters) - Georgia's ruling party on Thursday nominated its blunt-speaking leader Irakli Kobakhidze as prime minister, as the South Caucasus country, which is courted by both Russia and the West, prepares for parliamentary elections.

Kobakhidze, who has led the governing Georgian Dream bloc since 2021, is known for his fiery rhetoric and balances sometimes trenchant criticism of the West and Ukraine with statements about his country's desire to join the European Union and the NATO military alliance.