Georgia is bracing for yet another tumultuous moment as Mikheil Kavelashvili, the controversial figure associated with the ruling Georgian Dream party, is set to be named president amid widespread protests and accusations of electoral illegitimacy.
Kavelashvili, 53, is not just known for his political ambitions; he is also recognized for his past as a footballer with Manchester City. His impending election follows 16 days of intense pro-European Union protests, which erupted after allegations of election rigging during the October parliamentary vote.
The tension has only escalated since Georgian Dream announced its decision to halt EU accession negotiations until 2028, igniting fierce public outcry. Protesters, who have made their voices heard outside the parliament with EU flags, demand new elections and continue nightly demonstrations across the country.
“We are standing here to create a legal state once and for all, to respect the provisions of the constitution and human rights,” voiced lawyer Davit Kikaleishvili, encapsulating the sentiments shared by many who gathered on the streets.
On December 14, the ruling party-dominated electoral college will conduct the vote, seen by critics as little more than a formality, as Kavelashvili stands as the sole candidate—backed by his party and its influential founder, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Despite opposition groups boycotting the vote, insisting the election process is “illegitimate,” it appears Kavelashvili's ascent to presidency is largely assured, with the formal inauguration expected to occur on December 29, 2023.
Outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili has vehemently criticized this transition, arguing, “What will happen in parliament tomorrow is a parody—an event entirely devoid of legitimacy, unconstitutional and illegitimate.” She continues to assert herself as Georgia's legitimate leader and has refused to vacate her office.
Recent protests highlight not only the fractioning of Georgian politics but also the public’s frustration with the ruling party’s increasingly authoritarian tendencies. Reports indicate over 400 protesters have been arrested and subjected to mistreatment by authorities, with Amnesty International condemning “brutal dispersal tactics, arbitrary detention, and torture.”
The political turbulence is not without its historical echoes. Georgia’s political framework has seen similar upheavals, marked by disputes over legitimacy and constitutional crises. The decision to elect the president indirectly—abolishing direct elections—was made following constitutional changes purportedly aimed at enhancing parliamentary democracy but criticized as moves to consolidate power within Georgian Dream.
Kavelashvili, hailed by Ivanishvili as “the best embodiment of a Georgian man,” contrasts sharply with Zourabichvili's diplomatic background. His populist rhetoric resonates with conservative sentiments, exploiting fears and nationalism, often portraying the West and its values as adversarial.
He has been accused of echoing Kremlin-style policies, particularly concerning anti-LGBTQ legislation, and fostering anti-Western sentiment. Critics argue Kavelashvili's presidency could jeopardize Georgia's aspirations for EU integration—a path favored by the majority of the populace.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, the EU and the US have expressed alarm over the recent developments. The international community's response is being discussed, with proposals for sanctions against key figures within the Georgian Dream party pending on the agenda.
Pro-EU demonstrators remain steadfast, reflecting the public's deep-seated desire for alignment with European values, and threaten to mobilize even more vehemently should the election signal a serious regression for Georgia's democratic processes.
“Georgia is facing an unprecedented constitutional crisis,” said Vakhtang Khmaladze, one of the architects of Georgia’s constitution. This statement resonates across the streets of Tbilisi, where demonstrators reaffirm they will not accept Kavelashvili’s presidency and demand the return of direct democracy.
The coming week, as the vote approaches, will undoubtedly prove pivotal for Georgia. The atmosphere is replete with uncertainty; will Kavelashvili’s presidency merely be viewed as the consolidation of power within Georgia's ruling elites, or could it ignite broader unrest and calls for fundamental reform?
All eyes are on Tbilisi as the rest of the world watches one of Eastern Europe’s most intriguing political dramas continue to unravel.
