Mikheil Makharadze was elected as the Chairman of the Adjarian Supreme Council – the legislative body of the Autonomous Republic, on July 20.
 
Mikheil Makharadze was the only candidate for this position Koba Khabazi withdrew candidacy. Makharadze is seen as a consensus candidate in Adjara, professing more moderate views than one of the leaders of the former anti-Abashidze coalition Khabazi.
 
The Adjarian Supreme Council held it inaugural session on July 20, only one month after the snap local elections in the Autonomous Republic.

President Saakashvili’s Victorious Adjara party won 28 of the 30 available mandates in the legislative body. The remaining two seats are occupied by opposition members of the Republican Party.