JULY 1 2012 – Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili named Vano Merabishvili, his close political ally, as the new prime minister late on Saturday night.
Mr Merabishvili, who has been interior minister for the past eight years, replaces Niki Gilauri, prime minister since 2009.
The timing of Mr Merabishvili’s promotion is important as from 2013 the prime minister will hold stronger, more wide sweeping powers.
ENDS