Georgian lawmakers on Saturday elected former soccer player and anti-Western politician Mikheil Kavelashvili as the country’s new president. Kavelashvili’s election comes amidst ongoing protests sparked by the government’s decision to pause the country’s bid to join the European Union.
Kavelashvili, a former soccer player known for his critical stance toward the West, received 224 out of 225 votes from the electoral college. All opposition parties boycotted the vote, citing concerns about the fairness of the October parliamentary elections, which Georgian Dream officially won.
The ruling Georgian Dream party’s decision to postpone EU accession until 2028 has angered many Georgians who support joining the EU. Before the vote, hundreds protested outside parliament, some symbolically playing soccer and waving red cards in reference to Kavelashvili’s athletic past.
Kavelashvili was nominated by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a billionaire and former prime minister widely considered influential in Georgian politics. Kavelashvili co-authored a controversial law requiring organisations receiving significant foreign funding to register as agents of foreign influence.
Outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili has opposed Georgian Dream’s policies and expressed support for the protests. She has said that she will remain president and questioned the legitimacy of the parliament. Opposition parties agree and plan to continue recognizing Zourabichvili as the legitimate president after Kavelashvili’s inauguration on December 29.
The recent protests, which have drawn thousands nightly for over two weeks, have occasionally led to clashes with police. The government claims the protests are an attempt to seize power. Hundreds of protesters have been detained, and the interior ministry reports that over 150 officers have been injured. Parliament recently approved new restrictions on protests, including increased fines and bans on certain items.