TBILISI, Georgia — The ruling party in Georgia has selected a former soccer player as its presidential candidate amid ongoing tensions following a controversial victory in last month’s parliamentary elections. The outcome of the elections has led to protests and an opposition boycott of the parliamentary process.
Mikheil Kavelashvili, a 53-year-old ex-player for the national team and Premier League, has been nominated by the Georgian Dream party for the largely symbolic presidential role. Given that the electoral college, which is primarily influenced by the ruling party, is expected to cast its votes on December 14, Kavelashvili’s election is nearly guaranteed.
The Georgian Dream party managed to maintain its majority in the parliament after the October 26 elections, which were interpreted by many as a referendum related to the nation’s aspirations to join the European Union. The opposition has claimed that the election was manipulated under Russian influence, aiming to retain Georgia within its geopolitical sphere, prompting opposition groups to refrain from participating in parliament.
European observers remarked on the divisive nature of the elections, noting incidents of bribery, dual voting, and physical altercations during the voting process.
President Salome Zourabichvili, who has dismissed the official results and refuses to acknowledge the parliament’s authority, did not attend the opening session along with various opposition factions. Zourabichvili’s term, which started when she was elected by popular vote, is due to conclude next month. Recent amendments to the constitution have replaced the direct election of the president with a system where the president is selected by a 300-member electoral college composed of parliament members, municipal councilors, and regional representatives.
With the ruling party holding a dominant position within the electoral college, Kavelashvili’s selection for the presidency appears to be a formality.
Critics of Georgian Dream, which was founded by Bidzina Ivanishvili—a billionaire with deep ties to Russia—accuse the party of developing authoritarian tendencies and aligning too closely with Moscow. Recent legislative actions have drawn scrutiny, with many identifying them as reminiscent of Kremlin tactics aimed at restricting free speech and LGBTQ+ rights.
Furthermore, the European Union suspended Georgia’s application for membership indefinitely back in June, triggered by new rules that mandate organizations receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad to register as “pursuing the interest of a foreign power.” These regulations mirror a controversial Russian law aimed at discrediting critical organizations. Kavelashvili was among the legislators who backed this bill.
On Wednesday, Ivanishvili introduced Kavelashvili’s candidacy in parliament, highlighting him as a key figure in their political strategy and praising his considerable contributions towards safeguarding Georgian sovereignty and national interests.
A former striker for clubs including Manchester City and several Swiss teams, Kavelashvili initially entered parliament in 2016 under the Georgian Dream banner. He later became a co-founder of the People’s Power movement, which is recognized for its vehement anti-Western stance.
In his speech to parliament, Kavelashvili commented on the current societal divisions, alleging that “radicalization and polarization” have been exacerbated by foreign influences. He accused Zourabichvili of breaching the constitution and vowed to “restore the presidency to its rightful constitutional framework.”