Georgia's turmoil deepens as ex-footballer named president

In the nation of Georgia, a significant political upheaval is currently taking place, marked by widespread protests and a controversial presidential election. On December 14, Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former football player who once played for Manchester City, was elected as the new president by the parliament, which has been deemed disputed by many citizens. This election followed 17 days of pro-European Union protests that swept across various towns and cities in Georgia. Kavelashvili, who is now 53 years old, was the only candidate for the presidency and received 224 out of 225 votes from the electoral college. However, the four main opposition parties have rejected his election, claiming that the elections held in October were rigged and unfair. As a result, these opposition groups have decided to boycott parliament, expressing their discontent with the current political situation. On the day of the vote, large crowds of protesters gathered outside the parliament building, braving the freezing temperatures to voice their opposition to Kavelashvili's presidency. The outgoing president, Salome Zourabichvili, condemned the election as a travesty, asserting that she represents the only legitimate institution left in Georgia. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze responded to Zourabichvili's remarks by accusing her of attempting to undermine the country's interests and emphasized that she would have to step down when her term ends on December 29. He stated, 'We have very strong state institutions, so we certainly have no difficulty in bringing the situation under full control. ' This political turmoil has raised questions about the legitimacy of the current government and its ability to maintain order. Georgia operates as a parliamentary democracy, where the president serves as the head of state, while the prime minister leads the parliament. The protests against the ruling party, known as Georgian Dream, began immediately after the October elections but intensified on November 28 when the government announced a halt to negotiations for EU accession until 2028. The majority of Georgians support the country's path toward joining the European Union, which is even enshrined in their constitution. Every night, the main avenue outside the parliament fills with protesters waving EU flags and demanding new elections. The night before Kavelashvili's election, Tbilisi, the capital, was rocked by spontaneous protests involving various professionals, including IT specialists, public sector workers, and artists. Lawyer Davit Kikaleishvili, aged 47, stated, 'We are standing here to create a legal state once and for all, to respect the provisions of the constitution and human rights. ' He expressed his belief that the government would elect an illegitimate president, but this would not change the fact that the parliament itself is also illegitimate. Kavelashvili is a founder of the People's Power party, which is known for promoting anti-Western propaganda in Georgia. He has accused opposition parties of acting as a 'fifth column' directed from abroad and labeled President Zourabichvili as a 'chief agent. ' Kavelashvili transitioned into politics after being disqualified from leading the Georgian football federation due to a lack of qualifications. Although his party ran alongside Georgian Dream in the October elections, it has now decided to position itself as a 'healthy opposition' in parliament, aiming to replace what they call the 'so-called radical opposition funded by foreign forces. ' Guram Macharashvili, a member of Kavelashvili's party, announced on December 13 that his faction would leave the ruling parliamentary majority, describing the current situation as an 'artificially created crisis characterized by the influence of foreign powers. ' Macharashvili and Kavelashvili are also behind Georgia's controversial 'foreign agents' law, which many in the opposition view as legislation similar to that of Russia. When asked about the meaning of 'healthy opposition,' Macharashvili explained, 'Opposition does not necessarily mean opposition on all issues; it does not mean only cooperation with foreigners. It means competition with the ruling party to make better proposals on what's best for Georgia's future. ' As protests continued outside the parliament, the ruling party, Georgian Dream, founded by billionaire businessman and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, faced accusations of pulling the country back into Russia's sphere of influence. Both the European Union and the United States have condemned the government for its democratic backsliding, and over the past two weeks, more than 460 people have been detained across Georgia, with reports of ill-treatment and torture of over 300 individuals, including journalists. Last weekend, a TV reporter and cameraman were attacked by masked men, highlighting the growing violence against the media. The international community is being urged to impose sanctions on top government officials, including Ivanishvili, as protesters call for accountability. Pro-government groups have also been accused of harassing civil society activists, leading to violent confrontations outside their homes and arbitrary arrests. Former public rights defender Nino Lomjaria stated, 'There is systematic torture, inhuman and degrading treatment of citizens. ' Theatre workers who joined the protests chanted, 'The police are everywhere, justice is nowhere,' reflecting the widespread frustration with the current state of affairs in Georgia.