Georgia: Ex-footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili named president

Georgia's Crisis Deepens With Ex-Footballer As President

Check out: The BBC's Rayhan Demytrie observes feelings of "anger and frustration" among the people in the streets of Tbilisi.

A former Manchester City player has been named president by Georgia's contested parliament following 17 days of demonstrations in support of the EU that have spread across various towns and cities in the country.

Mikheil Kavelashvili, who is now 53 years old, is a former member of parliament representing the increasingly authoritarian ruling party, Georgian Dream. He was the sole contender for the position.

On Saturday, 224 of the 225 members of Georgia's electoral college cast their votes in his favor.

The four primary opposition parties have dismissed Kavelashvili and are refusing to participate in parliament, claiming that the elections conducted in October were manipulated.

Huge groups of demonstrators braved the chilly weather and assembled outside the parliament from dawn on Saturday, anticipating the upcoming vote.

Georgia's current pro-Western president, Salome Zourabichvili, has criticized Kavelashvili's election as a disgrace, asserting that she represents the country's last credible institution.

Mikheil Kavelashvili responds to the parliamentary vote.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has charged Zourabichvili with attempting to undermine Georgia's interests, stressing that once her term concludes on December 29, she will be expected to step down.

He stated on Friday, "Our state institutions are robust, so we have no trouble managing the situation effectively."

Party member Nino Tsilosani informed the press that the public no longer views Zourabichvili as president.

Georgia operates as a parliamentary democracy, where the president serves as the head of state, while the prime minister leads the Parliament.

Demonstrations against Georgian Dream started right after the elections in October, but they gained momentum on November 28 when the government declared it would pause EU membership talks until 2028.

A significant number of people in Georgia support the nation’s journey towards joining the European Union, and this commitment is enshrined in the constitution.

Each evening, the primary street in front of parliament becomes crowded with demonstrators wrapped in European Union flags, calling for fresh elections.

On the evening leading up to the vote, the city of Tbilisi was shaken by spontaneous protests featuring IT workers, government employees, creatives, actors, and lawyers.

"We are here to establish a lawful society for good, ensuring that we honor the principles laid out in the constitution and uphold human rights," stated lawyer Davit Kikaleishvili, 47.

Kavelashvili is the creator of the People's Power party, recognized as a leading advocate for anti-Western sentiments in Georgia.

He has claimed that opposition parties are serving as a "fifth column" being influenced from outside the country, and he referred to President Zourabichvili as the "primary agent" behind this effort.

After being disqualified from running for the presidency of the Georgian football federation due to insufficient qualifications, Kavelashvili transitioned into a political career.

Even though his party participated in the October elections together with Georgian Dream, it has now chosen to function in parliament as a constructive opposition, aiming to take the place of what they refer to as the "radical opposition backed by foreign influences."

Guram Macharashvili, a member of the People's Power party, stated on December 13 that his group would be withdrawing from the ruling parliamentary majority. In an interview with the BBC, he described the current situation in the country as a "manufactured crisis driven by foreign influences."

Macharashvili and Kavelashvili are the key figures behind Georgia's contentious "foreign agents" law, which the opposition views as legislation similar to that of Russia.

When explaining the concept of "healthy opposition," Macharashvili stated that it doesn't imply being against the government on every single matter, nor does it solely involve collaborating with external entities. Instead, it refers to competing with the ruling party to present improved ideas about what would benefit Georgia's future the most.

Demonstrators assembled outside the Parliament building on Saturday.

The political party Georgian Dream, created by billionaire entrepreneur and former Prime Minister of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili, has faced criticism for allegedly pulling the nation back under the influence of Russia.

Both the European Union and the United States have criticized the government for reversing democratic progress, and reports from Transparency International indicate that over 460 individuals have been arrested in Georgia in the last two weeks.

According to the organization, over 300 individuals have experienced mistreatment or torture, including many members of the Georgian media. Recently, a TV reporter and cameraman were captured on video being assaulted by a group of attackers.

Journalist and cameraman assaulted by individuals wearing masks in Georgia.

The EU has denounced the "harsh, illegal actions taken by the police," and when foreign ministers gather on Monday, they are expected to discuss potential actions against the government.

The U.S. State Department has instituted visa limitations for officials in Georgia, which includes members of the government and law enforcement.

Demonstrators are urging the global community to place sanctions on high-ranking government officials, including Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is considered the most influential figure in Georgia.

Pro-government factions have launched a campaign of intimidation against civil society advocates, physically assaulting them outside their residences and making random arrests.

"Former public rights defender Nino Lomjaria stated that there is a consistent pattern of torture and cruel, dehumanizing treatment of citizens."

Theater employees who participated in the demonstrations on Friday were shouting, "Police are all around, but justice is absent."