Georgia’s Electoral College in Parliament on Saturday appointed far-right former footballer Mikheil Kavelasvili as the country’s president. The move comes as the ruling Georgian Dream party faces mounting pro-European protests over its decision to delay EU membership aspirations until 2028.
Protests Against EU Membership Freeze
The Georgian Dream party’s abrupt decision to halt the nation’s long-standing goal of joining the European Union, enshrined in its constitution, has sparked widespread anti-government demonstrations. Recent polls indicate that a majority of Georgians support EU membership, reflecting public discontent with the ruling party’s stance.
Who Is Mikheil Kavelasvili?
Kavelasvili, founder of the People’s Power party, is known for his staunchly anti-Western rhetoric. He has accused opposition parties of acting as a “fifth column” directed by foreign powers and labeled the former president as a “chief agent” of external influence.
Kavelasvili’s political career began after he failed to qualify for leadership of the Georgian Football Federation due to insufficient credentials. Though his party ran in coalition with Georgian Dream during last October’s elections, he has since positioned People’s Power as a “healthy opposition” to counter what he calls “radical opposition funded by foreign powers.”
