Mikheil Kavelashvili Set to Become President Amid Deepening Protests in Georgia
In the midst of a political crisis, Georgia is set to appoint a new president, Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former footballer with controversial political ties. This comes after weeks of escalating protests against the government, which have shaken the capital, Tbilisi. The protests erupted after the ruling Georgian Dream party delayed the country’s accession negotiations to the European Union, a move that sparked outrage among many citizens who are eager to deepen ties with the West.
Kavelashvili, now 53, is a former player for Manchester City and other European football clubs. After retiring from football, he entered politics and quickly became a prominent figure in Georgia’s ruling party. Kavelashvili’s rise to the presidency, however, has not been without controversy. He is the only candidate up for the position, and his election has been condemned by opposition groups. These groups argue that the presidential election, set to be decided by an electoral college dominated by Georgian Dream supporters, is a farce and undermines democracy. They have boycotted the process and continue to call for fresh elections.
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The protests that have swept Georgia for over two weeks are a direct response to the government's recent actions, particularly the decision to postpone EU talks until 2028. This move was seen by many as a blow to the country’s European aspirations, a sentiment reflected in the nightly demonstrations outside the parliament building, where people wave EU flags and chant for new elections. Despite their efforts, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has dismissed the protesters, accusing them of acting against the country’s interests and asserting that Georgia's state institutions are strong enough to maintain control.
Kavelashvili’s election is seen by many as a further consolidation of power by the Georgian Dream party, which has been accused of moving closer to Russia, undermining Georgia's pro-Western stance. Critics argue that the party’s founder, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, has significant influence over the country's politics and has steered Georgia back toward Russia’s sphere of influence. Kavelashvili’s political faction, People's Power, has been vocal in its anti-Western rhetoric, with Kavelashvili himself accusing opposition parties of being foreign agents working to destabilize Georgia.
As Kavelashvili prepares to take office, the protests show no signs of slowing down. In addition to the opposition's accusations of electoral fraud, there are growing concerns about human rights abuses, including reports of widespread police brutality. Transparency International has reported that over 460 people have been detained in connection with the protests, and many have been subjected to torture. The EU and the US have already expressed concern, with the EU condemning the violence and the US imposing visa restrictions on Georgian officials.
While the protests reflect a deep divide within Georgian society, with some regions closer to Russia expressing support for the government’s policies, the majority of Georgians are still focused on the country’s European future. The political crisis in Georgia is far from over, and it remains to be seen how the international community will respond to the country’s increasingly authoritarian trajectory. As Kavelashvili steps into the presidential office, the future of Georgia’s democratic institutions and its relationship with the West hangs in the balance.
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