Ex-Man City Player Mikheil Kavelashvili Set to Become Georgia’s President Amid Protests

“Ex-Man City Player Mikheil Kavelashvili Set to Become Georgia’s Next President Amidst Controversy”

Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former footballer who played for Manchester City in the 1990s, is on track to become Georgia’s next president, despite significant opposition. Nominated by the ruling Georgian Dream party, Kavelashvili’s selection has stirred anger across the nation, with critics labeling him a “puppet” of billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, the party’s founder.

The presidential election, which will be decided by an electoral college rather than a popular vote, has raised questions about its legitimacy, with many denouncing it as a political maneuver designed to maintain control over the country.

Kavelashvili’s rise to power comes at a time when Tbilisi is gripped by massive anti-government protests, sparked by frustration over Georgian Dream’s abandonment of EU accession talks. Protesters have voiced their concerns that Kavelashvili, known for his expletive-laden speeches and far-right rhetoric, is simply a tool of Ivanishvili’s influence over Georgian politics. He is expected to be confirmed in the largely ceremonial role, following controversial constitutional amendments in 2017 that abolished popular elections for the presidency.

A former forward for the English Premier League’s Manchester City, Kavelashvili played for the club between 1995 and 1997, even scoring in his debut match against Manchester United. His football career, which included stints with clubs in Russia and Switzerland, has long since ended, but his political career has taken a dramatic turn since he entered the Georgian parliament in 2016 as part of the Georgian Dream party. Known for his anti-Western and anti-LGBTQ stances, Kavelashvili has made headlines for his harsh rhetoric, including condemning the West for promoting LGBTQ rights, which he believes undermines traditional values.

Kavelashvili’s nomination has ignited widespread protests, with demonstrators accusing the Georgian Dream government of drifting away from its EU aspirations. Thousands of Georgians have taken to the streets to demand new elections, with many calling Kavelashvili’s potential presidency a symbol of the country’s authoritarian shift. As protests continue, many view his appointment as a direct challenge to Georgia’s pro-European direction and a setback for those pushing for closer ties with the EU.

The constitutional changes that paved the way for Kavelashvili’s election have made it almost certain that he will assume office. However, the decision has left the current president, Salome Zurabishvili, fighting to maintain her legitimacy, as she rejects the new electoral process. Constitutional experts, including Vakhtang Khmaladze, one of the authors of Georgia’s constitution, have labeled the upcoming election “illegitimate,” further undermining Kavelashvili’s anticipated presidency from the outset.

With Georgia embroiled in a political crisis, Kavelashvili’s rise marks a turning point in the country’s history, as many fear that his presidency could usher in a new era of oligarchic control, with Ivanishvili pulling the strings behind the scenes.