It was a straightforward victory for Kavelashvili, because the Georgian Dream occasion controls a 300-seat constituency that changed direct presidential elections in 2017.
Former footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili turned president of Georgia on Saturday, because the ruling occasion tightens its grip on what the opposition referred to as a blow to the nation’s hopes of becoming a member of the EU and a victory for Russia.
It was a straightforward victory for Kavelashvili, 53, given the Georgian Dream occasion’s management of the 300-seat constituency that changed direct presidential elections in 2017.
The votes come from voters made up of parliamentarians and native authorities representatives. Of the 225 voters current on the vote, 224 voted for Kavelashvili. He was the one candidate nominated.
The Georgian Dream retained management of parliament within the October 26 elections, which the opposition says had been rigged with Russia’s assist.
The outgoing president, Salome Zourabichivili, and the nation’s most important pro-Western events have since boycotted parliamentary periods and referred to as for a brand new vote.
The ruling occasion’s determination final month to droop the nation’s accession course of to the European Union till 2028 sparked outrage among the many opposition and led to large-scale protests. For its half, Georgian Dream has vowed to proceed pushing for EU membership, but additionally desires to “reset” ties with Russia.
Georgian Dream was based by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a billionaire who made his fortune in Russia. The occasion has been accused of changing into more and more authoritarian and leaning in the direction of Moscow, which it denies every little thing. However, it has not too long ago handed legal guidelines that crack down on free speech and LGBTQ+ rights, much like Russia.
In 2008, Russia fought a short struggle with Georgia, which led to Moscow’s recognition of two breakaway areas as impartial and elevated Russian army presence in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Who is Mikheil Kavelashvili?
The new president has had a profitable profession as a footballer, taking part in as a striker for English Premier League group Manchester City and a number of other Swiss Super League groups.
He was first elected to parliament in 2016 as a member of the Georgian Dream, and in 2022 he co-founded the political motion People Power, which was allied with the Georgian Dream and have become recognized for its sturdy anti-Western rhetoric.
Kavelashvili was additionally one of many authors of a controversial regulation requiring organizations that obtain greater than 20 % of their funding from overseas to register as “pursuing the pursuits of a overseas energy.” An identical regulation exists in Russia, which has been used to discredit organizations crucial of the federal government.
The EU, which had granted Georgia candidate standing for EU membership in December 2023, suspended the method and reduce monetary assist after the overseas affect regulation was handed in June.
The outgoing president has stated he’ll keep
Pro-Western Salome Zourabichvili had been president since 2018, when she was elected with the assist of Georgian Dream, and has vowed to stay in workplace after her six-year time period ends on Monday, describing herself as the one official chief till new elections shall be held.
“I stay your president: there isn’t a official Parliament and subsequently no official election or inauguration,” he posted on the social community X late final month. “My mandate continues.”
Before Zourabichivili’s election, constitutional adjustments had made the position of the president successfully ceremonial. She subsequently turned extremely crucial of the ruling occasion, accusing it of implementing pro-Russian insurance policies. Georgian Dream’s makes an attempt to question her had been unsuccessful.
ANNOUNCEMENTOpposition events have additionally stated they may proceed to see Zourabichvili because the nation’s official president, even after Kavelashvili takes workplace on December 29.
