Irakli Kikvadze has been elected director of Adjara Television and Radio, a publicly funded broadcaster based in coastal Batumi, for a three-year term at a January 29 meeting, following two failed rounds to elect the new head. Seven members of the Public Broadcaster’s Board of Trustees voted in favor of Kikvadze, while one member, Soso Tughushi, voted against his appointment. Public Broadcaster’s board chairman Vasil Maghlaperidze announced the decision at the time, though Tatishvili himself did not elaborate on the reasons for his resignation. Since then, the position had been temporarily filled by First Deputy Director Eka-Elene Shainidze. The competition for the post failed in the first two rounds after candidates Akaki Beridze, a lawyer, and Ani Kekua, a Public Broadcaster morning show host, failed to secure the required support of the Board of Trustees.