Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, appointed Mikheil Kavelashvili as the country’s new president on Saturday. According to reports, this decision comes at a time of significant political unrest and public dissatisfaction.
Kavelashvili was the only candidate in the presidential election. The vote, however, was conducted by a 300-member electoral college instead of through a direct public vote. This system was introduced by Georgian Dream seven years ago through constitutional amendments.
Notably, the October elections preceding this vote drew heavy criticism. Observers reported incidents of bribery and double voting, raising concerns about the fairness of the process. As a result, opposition parties rejected the election results and boycotted parliament.
Outgoing President Salome Zurabichvili criticized the appointment and the parliamentary process. Speaking to Al Jazeera, she stated, “The sense in the population is that we are at a real turning point. Either this struggle succeeds … to resist this or we will enter into a regime that will be more or less the Russian regime of [Vladimir] Putin.”
Furthermore, Zurabichvili stressed the need for a legitimate president elected by the people, rather than one chosen by what she described as an illegitimate parliament.
Meanwhile, protests erupted outside Georgia’s parliament ahead of the vote. Despite the snowfall, hundreds of demonstrators gathered to express their disapproval. Some protesters mocked Kavelashvili’s past as a footballer by playing soccer in the streets and waving red cards at the parliament building.
Additionally, protests have continued nightly since the government’s announcement to freeze European Union accession talks until 2028. Authorities, however, have responded with tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. Over 400 protesters have been arrested so far.
Interestingly, Kavelashvili’s career began as a footballer. He played as a striker for Manchester City in the mid-1990s before transitioning to politics in 2016. In 2022, he co-founded the People’s Power splinter group alongside two other Georgian Dream members. This group has since gained notoriety for its strong anti-Western stance.
Overall, Kavelashvili’s appointment has further divided the country. The decision has fueled public outrage, with many questioning the democratic direction of Georgia. As protests persist, the nation stands at a crucial turning point in its political future.
