Georgian President Opposes LGBT Rights
Pro-EU Protests Against a Controversial President
In Georgia, thousands of pro-European Union demonstrators took to the streets to protest the election of a controversial new president. Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former football player, was elected by an electoral college dominated by the ruling party, Georgian Dream. Known for his anti-Western positions and opposition to LGBTQ rights, the 53-year-old nationalist embodies a hardline stance favoring Moscow.
On Saturday, December 14, despite allegations of electoral fraud raised by the opposition following tight parliamentary elections in October, Parliament chose Kavelashvili during a sparsely attended session. Outside, demonstrators, symbolically holding red cards, denounced this election.
An Unpopular President Backed by Moscow
Mikheil Kavelashvili, whose international career as a striker spanned from 1988 to 2007, is primarily remembered for contributing to Manchester City’s relegation to the English second division in 1996. With little formal education and relatively low popularity, he appears unbothered by criticism. This staunch pro-Russian nationalist does not contest Moscow’s occupation of 20% of Georgian territory. He also promotes conspiratorial rhetoric, accusing Western intelligence agencies of trying to drag Georgia into a conflict with Russia.
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A Key Supporter of the Ruling Power
Since 2016, Kavelashvili has served as a member of parliament under the Georgian Dream banner before founding his own party, Power to the People, in 2022. Despite this apparent independence, he remains closely tied to Bidzina Ivanishvili, the influential billionaire who controls Georgian Dream. Together, they supported the controversial foreign influence law in May, inspired by Russian practices aimed at restricting independent media and NGOs.
Europe on Hold and a Polarized Society
Mikheil Kavelashvili does not appear willing to revive Georgia’s EU accession process, which was frozen in November. According to him, the West fuels polarization in Georgian society. Instead, he advocates for defending what he calls the “purity of Georgian traditional values.”
A Contested Presidential Transition
Although his inauguration is scheduled for December 29, current president Salome Zourabichvili refuses to step down. She has conditioned her resignation on the organization of new elections, further intensifying political tensions in the country.
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