An electoral college dominated by the ruling party in Georgia designated loyalist Mikhail Kavelashvili as the new president this Saturday, December 14, in a vote boycotted by the opposition, in the midst of a political crisis and anti-government demonstrations in this Caucasian country.
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The head of the Georgian electoral commission, Giorgi Kalandarichvili, said that Mikhail Kavelashvili was elected with 224 votes. The current head of state, Salomé Zourabichvili, breaking with the government, however denounced this vote as “ illegitimate» and said that she would refuse to give up her mandate until new legislative elections had been organized.
The former Soviet republic has been going through unrest since the ruling party, Georgian Dream, claimed victory in the October 26 legislative elections – denounced as rigged by the opposition – and the government decided at the end of November to suspend until 2028 any EU accession negotiations.
Pro-European Union demonstrations continue
Since this decision, pro-European Union demonstrations bringing together thousands of people have taken place every evening in front of the Parliament in Tbilisi. The protesters are demanding new elections and accusing the government of turning away from the European path and following a pro-Russian authoritarian drift.
Also readCrisis in Georgia: a situation reminiscent of that in Ukraine
On Saturday, new opposition rallies, organized by different groups, were held in Tbilisi, peacefully, AFP journalists noted. From 9:00 a.m. (05:00 GMT), hundreds of protesters braved the cold and a few snowflakes in front of Parliament. Some brought soccer balls to mock Mikheil Kavelashvili, who is a former professional soccer player.
Mikheil Kavelashvili accused of being a puppet of billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili
Known for his diatribes against critics of power, Mikheil Kavelashvili was officially the only candidate, because the opposition refused to sit in Parliament and did not nominate anyone for these functions.
Aged 53, Mikheïl Kavelashvili is accused by protesters of being a puppet of billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, who made his fortune in Russia, founded the Georgian Dream party and has ruled Georgia from behind the scenes since 2012.
Salomé Zourabichvilibreaking with the government, estimated Friday that the designation of the president was a “ parody » and would be “ unconstitutional ” And “ illegitimate “. In Georgia, the powers of the head of state are limited and essentially symbolic. But that did not prevent the 72-year-old former French diplomat from becoming one of the voices of the pro-European opposition.
Also readGeorgia: Mikhail Kavelashvili, a former footballer propelled to the presidency of a country in the midst of crisis