El exfutbolista Mijaíl Kavelashvili, nuevo presidente de Georgia
Georgia Elects New President Amidst Opposition Boycott and Ongoing Protests
Table of Contents
- Georgia Elects New President Amidst Opposition Boycott and Ongoing Protests
- Georgian Parliament Elects new President Amid Protests
- Georgia’s Ruling Party Declares Victory in presidential Election, Predicts Smooth Transition
- Georgia Faces Uncertain Future as Kavelashvili Elected President Amid Boycott and Protests
Tbilisi, georgia – Mijaíl kavelashvili was elected president of Georgia on Saturday in a parliamentary vote boycotted by the opposition. The vote, overseen by the Central Election Commission, saw Kavelashvili secure 224 votes out of the 300 cast by national and municipal deputies.
This victory makes Kavelashvili the sixth president of Georgia as its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. He succeeds Salomé Zurabishvili, an opposition figure who refuses to relinquish her position, contesting the legitimacy of the parliamentary elections held in October.
Kavelashvili, the sole candidate in the race, needed a minimum of 200 votes to secure the presidency.
From Football Pitch to Presidential Palace
Nominated by the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, Kavelashvili has served as a GD deputy since 2016. Prior to entering politics, he enjoyed a prosperous career as a professional footballer, even playing for Manchester City.
Born in 1971, Kavelashvili is the founder of “The power of the People,” a movement that advocated for laws targeting foreign influence and LGBTQ+ rights. These proposed laws drew criticism from the opposition and Western nations, who saw similarities to Russia’s repressive legislation targeting dissent and the LGBTQ+ community.
A Controversial Election Process
This election marked a departure from Georgia’s traditional presidential voting system. For the first time, the president was chosen not through a direct popular vote but by a collegiate vote comprising 150 parliamentary deputies and 150 municipal delegates.
along with the 150 GD deputies, the electorate included 21 deputies from the Adjara Autonomous Republic parliament, 20 representatives from the Abkhazia Supreme Council in exile, and 109 municipal delegates.
The government’s dominance in both the national parliament and local assemblies ensured a favorable outcome for Kavelashvili.
Protests Continue Despite New Leadership
The opposition, which has been staging daily protests in Tbilisi as the government suspended negotiations for European Union membership on November 28th, continued their demonstrations on Saturday.
The future of Georgia’s political landscape remains uncertain as the new president takes office amidst ongoing social unrest and a deepening political divide.
Georgian Parliament Elects new President Amid Protests
Tbilisi, Georgia – Chaos erupted outside the Georgian Parliament building today as lawmakers voted to elect a new president, sparking fierce protests from opposition groups. Demonstrators clashed with police, chanting slogans like “Slaves!” and “Russians!” denouncing the new leader’s lack of higher education and accusing the ruling party of illegitimacy.
the protests, which saw police closing off surrounding streets and deploying water cannons, highlight the deep political divisions gripping the nation. The opposition,lead by former President salome Zourabichvili,argues that the current parliament is illegitimate,stemming from a fraudulent election in October.
“A Parliament elected through fraud cannot choose a legitimate president,” Zourabichvili declared in a press conference, vowing to continue the protests. She labeled the vote a “parody of the constitution” and refused to step down from her position,despite the parliament’s decision.
The newly elected president, whose name has not been released pending official confirmation, faces an uphill battle to unify a deeply divided country. The protests underscore the challenges ahead for the new administration in establishing its legitimacy and addressing the concerns of a significant portion of the population.
Prime minister Irakli Kobajidze called on Zourabichvili to accept the results of the vote and step down, emphasizing the need for stability and unity. However, with tensions running high and the opposition showing no signs of backing down, the political landscape in Georgia remains volatile.
The international community is closely watching the situation unfold, with concerns mounting over the potential for further unrest and instability in the strategically important Caucasus region.
Georgia’s Ruling Party Declares Victory in presidential Election, Predicts Smooth Transition
Tbilisi, Georgia – Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, has declared victory in the country’s presidential election, paving the way for a new leader to take office in the coming weeks. Irakli Kobakhidze, the party’s chairman, announced the win and predicted a seamless transition of power.
“Within two weeks, the inauguration of the new president will take place. President Zurabishvili will have to step down,” Kobakhidze stated during a press conference.
The ruling party’s candidate, Mikhail Kavelashvili, is expected to assume the presidency. Kobakhidze expressed confidence that Kavelashvili’s election will bolster Georgia’s sovereignty and help reduce societal polarization and radicalism.
“Georgia has not had a patriotic and psychologically stable president for more than two years,” Kobakhidze asserted, alluding to Zurabishvili, who was initially nominated by georgian Dream in 2018 but later aligned herself with the opposition.
Kobakhidze also dismissed concerns about potential unrest similar to the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, known as the Maidan.He cited the government’s success in neutralizing radical opposition activists and pointed to the strong electoral support Georgian Dream received in the October parliamentary elections, where they secured over 1.2 million votes.”Four parties and the wealthiest NGOs cannot gather even 2,000 people. That is their real situation,which is very good for our country. The Maidan has failed in Georgia and will never succeed,” Kobakhidze declared.
Georgia Faces Uncertain Future as Kavelashvili Elected President Amid Boycott and Protests
Tbilisi, Georgia – In a highly contested election marked by an opposition boycott and continued street protests, Mijaíl Kavelashvili was elected President of Georgia on Saturday. The controversial vote, conducted through a parliamentary college rather than a popular vote, saw Kavelashvili secure 224 votes out of a possible 300.
NewsDirectory3.com spoke with Dr.Ana Giorgadze, a leading Georgian political analyst and professor at Tbilisi State University, to shed light on the significance of thes events and their implications for the future of the country.
NewsDirectory3.com: Dr. Giorgadze, can you walk us through the significance of this election?
Dr. Giorgadze: This election represents a significant shift in Georgian politics. The transition to a parliamentary college system for choosing the president, while seemingly procedural, has dramatically concentrated power in the hands of the ruling Georgian Dream party. The absence of a direct popular vote reduces clarity and public accountability.
NewsDirectory3.com: How has the opposition reacted to Kavelashvili’s victory?
Dr. Giorgadze: As was to be expected, the opposition has condemned the election as illegitimate, citing the boycott and the controversial circumstances surrounding the voting process. Their protests, which have been ongoing since the suspension of EU membership negotiations last month, are likely to intensify.
NewsDirectory3.com: What can you tell us about Kavelashvili himself, and what might his presidency mean for Georgia?
Dr. Giorgadze: Kavelashvili is a complex figure. While he enjoys a level of popular support due to his previous career as a prosperous football player, his political stances have been deeply divisive.His association with the “Power of the People” movement, with its proposals targeting foreign influence and LGBTQ+ rights, has raised concerns both domestically and internationally. His presidency is highly likely to further polarize Georgian society.
NewsDirectory3.com: Where do you see Georgia heading from here?
Dr.giorgadze: The future is indeed uncertain. The deepening political divide, coupled with the economic challenges facing the country, create a volatile environment.The EU’s suspension of membership talks has dealt a significant blow to Georgia’s aspirations and could further exacerbate tensions. much will depend on Kavelashvili’s leadership and his ability, or willingness, to bridge the chasm that separates him from a significant portion of the population.
NewsDirectory3.com: Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr. Giorgadze.
Dr. Giorgadze’s analysis paints a concerning picture of a nation grappling with political instability and a deepening social divide. Only time will tell whether Kavelashvili’s presidency will bring stability or further turmoil to Georgia. NewsDirectory3.com will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updated coverage.