Zurab Zhvania

Zurab Zhvania (Georgian: ზურაბ ჟვანია; 9 December 1963 – 3 February 2005) was a Georgian politician, who served as Prime Minister of Georgia and Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia.

Zhvania began his political career at a young age as a member of Green Party in the early 90s. In 1993, Zhvania was elected General Secretary of Eduard Shevardnadze's political party. From that point on until his death in 2005, Zhvania played an important role in Georgian politics. In 1995 he became the chairman of parliament and maintained the post until his resignation in 1999, which was followed with the discharge of other ministers whom Zhvania had suspected of corruption. In 2003, Zhvania united with other opposition leaders, mainly Burdjanadze, Okruashvili and Saakashvili, to hold non-violent protests against the rigging of the 2003 presidential elections. This protests culminated with the resignation of Shevardnadze and the ascendance of Saakashvili to the presidency. Zhvania became prime minister and served the post until his death in 2005.