TBILISI: Georgia’s ruling party on Saturday selected Mikheil Kavelashvili, a far-right former footballer, as the country’s new president in a highly controversial election process. This decision comes amidst a growing constitutional crisis and mass protests advocating for closer ties with the European Union.
The political unrest in the Black Sea nation has intensified since the Georgian Dream party claimed victory in October’s disputed parliamentary elections and announced a delay in EU membership discussions for four years.
The electoral college, dominated by Georgian Dream and boycotted by the opposition, elected Kavelashvili with a commanding 224 votes. The 53-year-old former Manchester City forward, who has been a Member of Parliament since 2016, is notorious for his far-right rhetoric and vulgar statements.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze defended Kavelashvili’s election, claiming it would restore the presidency’s dignity and constitutional role, which he alleged had been undermined by external forces.
However, opposition leaders dismissed the election as illegitimate, declaring current president Salome Zurabishvili as the only rightful leader. Zurabishvili, a pro-Western former diplomat, has refused to step down and is demanding new parliamentary elections. She is a popular figure among protesters, who view her as a symbol of Georgia’s European aspirations.
Addressing a rally of thousands outside parliament, Zurabishvili criticized the election, calling it a “mockery of democracy.” She reiterated her call for new elections to restore justice and peace, drawing cheers from demonstrators chanting their support.
Meanwhile, opposition groups accuse Georgian Dream of electoral fraud, eroding democratic values, and steering the country closer to Russia, despite Georgia’s constitutional commitment to EU integration.
Kavelashvili, the sole candidate for the largely symbolic presidency, has made headlines for his strong anti-Western stance and opposition to LGBTQ rights, further deepening divisions in the politically volatile nation.
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