Georgian lawmakers approved Irakli Kobakhidze as the new prime minister. Former PM Garibashvili said last week that he was stepping down from his post, saying that other members of Georgian Dream “deserve the chance” to lead the government. He now takes over from Kobakhidze, 45, as chairman of billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili’s ruling party. Mr. Kobakhidze has been a critic of the West before. A new defense minister was also appointed, the only change in the cabinet so far. Georgia is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections on October 26th.