Georgian Electoral College Appoints Former Anti-Western Footballer Micheil Kavelasjvili as New President

tbilisi - The Georgian electoral college has appointed Micheil Kavelasjvili as the new president of the country. Kavelasjvili, a former professional footballer critical of Western influence in Georgia, is set to succeed Salome Zoerabisjvili.

The Georgian electoral college has designated Micheil Kavelasjvili as the new president of the country. Kavelasjvili, a 53-year-old former professional footballer who played for clubs like Manchester City, has been a member of parliament since 2016 and has developed a nationalist and right-wing profile. He has voiced criticism against Western ideas on protecting LGBTQ+ rights, calling them 'an act against humanity'. He has been portrayed by pro-European demonstrators as a pro-Russian puppet of the government.

Kavelasjvili, the sole candidate, was put forward by the ruling party Georgian Dream (GD). He is expected to succeed Salome Zoerabisjvili by the end of the month, but the process of transition of power remains uncertain. Zoerabisjvili has stated her refusal to accept the electoral college's decision and intends to remain as president.

Zoerabisjvili, supported by the pro-European faction, has accused the government of electoral fraud in the October parliamentary elections, refusing to recognize the legitimacy of the electoral college's choice for a new president. The electoral college, composed of parliamentarians and local representatives, is predominately GD-influenced.

Zoerabisjvili, elected by popular vote in 2018, saw the constitutional amendment shift the presidential election process to the electoral college. Over time, tensions between Zoerabisjvili and GD have escalated, with the president blaming the ruling party for deteriorating relations with the EU and the West while cozying up to Russia.

This sentiment is echoed by the thousands of demonstrators rallying for new parliamentary elections and a pro-European trajectory for Georgia. The prime minister announced a halt to EU accession talks post-elections.

The inauguration of President Kavelasjvili is scheduled for December 29.