Former footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili was elected President of Georgia by a College of electors who met today in Parliament, announced the director of the Election Commission, Giorgi Kalandarishvili.His election is contested as invalid by the opposition who did not participate in the vote. Kavelashvili was elected with 224 votes in favor by the College made up of 300 members, of which 150 deputies. Kavelashvili had been nominated as the candidate, the only one, by the ruling Georgian Dream party. Outgoing pro-European President Salomé Zourabishvili has declared the vote “illegitimate” and refuses to step down.
the President is a former footballer
“The most prosperous incarnation of the Georgian man”, according to a definition attributed to the tycoon bidzina Ivanishvili, Kavelashvili is a former football champion and founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, the architect of Tbilisi’s turn towards Russia.
His election, non-direct for the first time following the 2017 reform, is contested, as is the government that supported his nomination, by tens of thousands of Georgians who have been taking to the streets every evening for weeks to protest against the dissolution of the European dream, which the country even keeps written in the Constitution, by the political force that designated Kavelashvili as the candidate, the only one.
And this morning too several hundred people gathered to protest in front of parliament while the vote was underwaykicking balls and waving their diplomas, to denounce the lack of school qualifications which stands out in Kavelashvili, considered by the opposition as a puppet in the hands of Ivanishvili. Zourabishvili passed by the square this morning to greet the activists but did not stop to go “to work”, confirming her intention not to leave office.
Origins and career
The 53-year-old former striker, born in the town of Bolnisi, has a past in the Georgian national team and in various clubs abroad, Russia, England, including Manchester City (1995-1997) and Switzerland. He entered the field of politics after his candidacy for president of the Georgian Football Federation in 2015 was rejected because he was considered unqualified.
Elected to Parliament with the Georgian Dream in 2016, he defends, like Vladimir Putin and Calin Georgescu, “traditional values”, Georgian in his case, like Russians and Romanians for the first two respectively, in the face of the degradation of Western liberalism. He is the promoter of a campaign against the rights of the LGBTQ community.
Populist, head of the power to the People faction he founded after the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with right-wing and more anti-Western positions than Georgian Dream, re-elected on the Georgian Dream lists in the last elections, he was designated by the party in power as the sole candidate for today’s election in which the 60 opposition representatives (out of the 300 in the College of Voters) did not take part. He presents himself as a “healthy opposition” in Georgian Dream, whereas the real opposition parties are, in his words, “radicals financed from abroad”. It was his party that introduced the ‘Russian’ foreign influence bill.
Last June he accused the United States of “harboring an insatiable desire to destroy our country.” The opposition is maneuvered by the US Congress which plans “a direct violent revolution and the Ukrainization of Georgia”, he wrote in a post in which he followed the rhetoric of the Georgian Dream and the ‘populist international’ that looks towards Moscow. The opposition, he also said in copy, operates as a “fifth column” directed from abroad and Zurabishvili ”the agent in chief”.
What are the implications of Kavelashvili’s election on Georgia’s relationship with Europe and Russia?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Political Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to our special segment. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Nino Kachkachishvili, a political expert and analyst specializing in Eastern european politics.Dr. Kachkachishvili, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Nino Kachkachishvili (NK): Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
TNE: Let’s dive right in. Mikheil Kavelashvili has just been elected as the President of Georgia, but his election seems to be surrounded by controversy. Can you explain the current political atmosphere in Georgia and what led to this outcome?
NK: Certainly.The political climate in Georgia has been tumultuous for some time now, especially with tensions between the ruling party, Georgian Dream, and the opposition. Kavelashvili’s election marks a significant moment as it came without opposition participation. This absence indicates deep divisions and a lack of consensus on governance.
TNE: Kavelashvili was the only candidate put forth by the ruling party and was elected with 224 votes from a 300-member College of electors. How does this centralized nomination process affect the democratic process in Georgia?
NK: The fact that he was the sole nominee indicates a lack of pluralism. democracy thrives on diversity of choice and active participation from various political factions. By sidelining the opposition,it raises concerns about representation and the legitimacy of his presidency. The opposition’s contestation of the election reflects a deep distrust in the process.
TNE: The former pro-European President, Salomé Zourabishvili, was a significant player before Kavelashvili. What impact do you think her presidency had on Georgia’s political landscape?
NK: Zourabishvili’s term emphasized pro-European integration and democratic values. She was seen as a figure who tried to strengthen ties with the West. Her exit leaves a vacuum, and Kavelashvili’s presidency may shift Georgia’s trajectory.If he aligns more closely with Russian interests, it could reshape foreign relations and affect the aspirations for EU membership.
TNE: That’s an interesting point.As Kavelashvili takes office, what challenges will he face both domestically and internationally?
NK: Domestically, he must navigate the fractured political landscape and rebuild trust with the opposition and the populace. Economically, managing the expectations of citizens who desire growth and stability will also be crucial. Internationally, Kavelashvili will need to carefully balance relations with both the West and Russia, especially given the past context of conflicts in the region.
TNE: Some analysts argue that the lack of opposition in the parliament could lead to autocratic tendencies. Do you agree, and what steps can be taken to avoid such a scenario?
NK: I do share that concern. When the ruling party faces no significant checks, it can lead to an erosion of democratic norms. To avoid this, it is essential for civil society and independent institutions to remain vigilant and advocate for accountability. Political dialog between parties—despite adversities—will also be crucial in fostering a healthier democracy.
TNE: what do you think the future holds for Georgia under Kavelashvili’s leadership?
NK: The future is uncertain. If Kavelashvili can reach out to the opposition and rejuvenate political discourse, there might potentially be hope for stability and gradual democratic reform. However, if he chooses to consolidate power and alienate dissenting voices, we could see increasing unrest and destabilization.It will be interesting to observe how this unfolds.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Kachkachishvili, for your insightful analysis. We appreciate your thoughts on this pivotal moment in Georgian politics.
NK: Thank you for having me. It was a pleasure discussing this significant topic.