The opposition to President Saakashvili routinely criticized Chankotadze's term for the perceived influence of Bacho Akhalaia, who was appointed as Minister of Defense in 2009 and was seen as the real decision-maker in armed forces decisions. On October 8, 2012, Saakashvili replaced Chankotadze with his deputy, Giorgi Kalandadze. Chankotadze retired from the military on April 11, 2013, and received an honorary promotion to the rank of Lieutenant General.
