Former Manchester City striker turned far-right politician, Mikheil Kavelashvili, is set to become Georgia’s next ceremonial president through an indirect election process criticized as “illegitimate” by pro-EU leaders.
Kavelashvili, backed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, is expected to secure the presidency via an electoral college controlled by the party. This comes after controversial constitutional changes in 2017 abolished popular voting for the position.
Known for his fiery and often expletive-filled speeches in parliament, Kavelashvili has sparked controversy with his anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and criticism of Western policies. He has accused Western leaders of attempting to pull Georgia into Russia’s war on Ukraine.
The former footballer, who represented Georgia’s national team and scored on his debut for Manchester City against Manchester United in 1995, transitioned into politics in 2016 as a member of the Georgian Dream party. He later helped establish the People’s Power faction, an anti-Western group linked to the ruling party.
Protests have erupted across Tbilisi, with demonstrators opposing Kavelashvili’s nomination and the government’s shelving of EU accession talks. Critics describe him as a “puppet” of billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of Georgian Dream.
“This election is a mockery of democracy,” said historian Nika Gobronidze. “It underscores the government’s drift away from European integration.”
The outgoing president, Salome Zurabishvili, has declared the election process illegitimate and vowed not to vacate her position unless fresh parliamentary elections are held.