Former Manchester City Striker Mikheil Kavelashvili Set To Become Georgia’s President Amid Protests.
Former Manchester City footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili is poised to become the president of Georgia after being nominated by the ruling Georgian Dream party. The 53-year-old, known for his brief stint with the Premier League club in the mid-1990s, is now at the centre of a political storm as his impending appointment has sparked nationwide protests.
The position of president in Georgia is largely ceremonial, with the role being determined by a 300-member electoral college comprising MPs and local officials. Given the dominance of the Georgian Dream party in parliament, Kavelashvili’s election on 14 December is seen as a foregone conclusion. His inauguration is scheduled for 29 December.
Kavelashvili’s candidacy, however, has faced fierce opposition. Protests erupted following the announcement, with demonstrators accusing the ruling party of democratic backsliding and aligning the country with Russia’s interests. The protests intensified after the government declared it would delay European Union accession negotiations until 2028, despite widespread public support for EU integration enshrined in Georgia’s constitution.
A Controversial Career Transition
Kavelashvili, who played for Manchester City from 1995 to 1997, is remembered for scoring on his debut against Manchester United. Following his football career, he ventured into politics, co-founding the People’s Power party, known for its anti-Western rhetoric. Critics argue that his political stance undermines Georgia’s pro-EU aspirations.
The outgoing president, Salome Zourabichvili, a vocal critic of the ruling party, has condemned Kavelashvili’s nomination as a “travesty,” claiming it signals the erosion of Georgia’s democratic institutions. She remains a key figure in the protests, which have drawn diverse groups including IT specialists, actors, and lawyers.
Protests and International Condemnation
The unrest has led to widespread demonstrations, with protesters draped in EU flags calling for new elections. Over 460 people have been detained in recent weeks, with allegations of police brutality and harassment against activists. The EU and US have criticised the Georgian government, citing democratic backsliding and human rights violations.
Despite the turmoil, the Georgian Dream party maintains that the protests will not derail the election process. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze dismissed Zourabichvili’s criticisms, asserting that her term would end as scheduled.
As Georgia navigates this tense period, Kavelashvili’s expected presidency symbolises a deepening divide within the nation. While his supporters hail his leadership as a stabilising force, opponents view it as a step away from the democratic and European future many Georgians aspire to achieve.
