Tbilisi has experienced a political upheaval with the appointment of Mikheil Kavelashvili as president amidst protests against the suspension of EU membership negotiations. The ruling Georgian Dream party halted these talks until 2028, igniting public discontent. Kavelashvili, known for his anti-Western views, faces opposition from demonstrators and the outgoing pro-EU president, Salome Zourabichvili, who refuses to concede legitimacy. As tensions with the West grow, concerns about Georgia’s shifting foreign policy and increasing authoritarianism have emerged.
Georgia Elects New President Amid Protests
Tbilisi witnessed a significant political shift on Saturday as the Georgian Parliament appointed Mikheil Kavelashvili, who is known for his anti-Western stance, as the new president. This event unfolded against the backdrop of substantial protests triggered by the suspension of the country’s EU membership negotiations.
Political Tensions Rise Following EU Membership Delay
The ruling party, Georgian Dream, made the controversial decision in November to pause the EU membership process until 2028, abruptly disrupting what has been a long-standing aspiration enshrined in the nation’s constitution. This move incited widespread frustration among Georgians, many of whom favor EU membership, as reflected in various opinion polls.
Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former professional football player, has been vocal about his anti-Western and conspiratorial beliefs. Throughout this year, he has alleged that Western intelligence agencies are attempting to draw Georgia into conflict with Russia.
The election of the president is conducted by an electoral college consisting of deputies and local authority representatives. Out of 225 electors, an overwhelming 224 backed Kavelashvili, who was the sole candidate nominated.
Since the October elections, where the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed nearly 54% of the vote—a result the opposition has labeled fraudulent—all opposition parties have boycotted Parliament.
On the day of the presidential vote, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside Parliament despite light snowfall, some engaging in playful football while waving red cards in a nod to Kavelashvili’s sports background.
Last month, Kavelashvili was appointed by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a former billionaire prime minister and the country’s unofficial leader, to assume this largely ceremonial role of president.
As a prominent member of the People’s Power, an anti-Western faction within the ruling party, Kavelashvili co-authored a controversial law targeting ‘foreign agents.’ This law mandates that organizations receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad register as foreign influence agents or face severe penalties.
Outgoing President’s Defiance
The outgoing president, Salome Zourabichvili, who advocates for pro-EU policies and criticizes the ruling party, has emerged as a figurehead for the protest movement. She has declared her intention to remain in her role beyond her term’s conclusion, deeming Parliament illegitimate due to alleged electoral fraud.
Opposition factions have vowed to continue recognizing Zourabichvili as the legitimate president even after Mikheil Kavelashvili’s scheduled inauguration on December 29.
For many years, Georgia has been regarded as one of the most pro-Western and democratic nations among former Soviet states. However, tensions with the West have escalated this year, particularly following Georgian Dream’s introduction of laws concerning foreign agents and LGBT rights, which critics claim are influenced by Russian policies.
Western nations have raised concerns regarding Georgia’s apparent shift in foreign policy and increasing authoritarianism, with the European Union warning of potential sanctions against the repression of protests. In a recent video message to the Georgian populace, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized, ‘Georgia’s European dream must not fade away.’
Since the onset of the war in Ukraine, Georgian Dream has been working to strengthen ties with Russia, which has historical ties to Georgia and continues to support two breakaway regions. The complexities of these relationships are set against the backdrop of a nation grappling with its identity and future direction.