A former Manchester City footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili has been appointed President of Georgia, following weeks of pro-EU protests that have swept across the country’s towns and cities.
Mikheil Kavelashvili, now 53, was the only candidate put forward for the role by Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party, securing the position after 224 of 225 members of the electoral college voted in his favor on Saturday.
Softfootball understands the country’s main opposition groups have rejected the outcome, insisting October’s parliamentary elections were rigged.
Large crowds gathered outside parliament in freezing conditions ahead of the vote, continuing weeks of demonstrations that intensified after the government announced it was pausing EU accession talks until 2028.
Outgoing president Salome Zourabichvili has condemned the appointment as illegitimate, describing herself as holding the country’s only remaining legitimate institution.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has dismissed the criticism, insisting the state retains full control of the situation and that Zourabichvili’s term will officially end on December 29.
