Parliament approves National Communication Commission member

Former journalist Vakhtang Abashidze has been approved as a member of the Georgian National Communication Commission (GNCC) after Parliament of Georgia showed overwhelming support.

Parliament approved Abashidze to the role with 85 votes in favour and three against.

Abashidze, a journalist by profession, was previously a GNCC member from 2000 to 2004. The post became vacant after Irakli Chikovani left the role in July 2013.

The Commission consists of five members who are appointed by the President for a six-year term.

The President of Georgia has the power to announce an open competition to fill a vacant GNCC member position, which then must be approved by Parliament.