Georgian lawmakers on Saturday elected former soccer participant and anti-Western politician Mikheil Kavelashvili because the nation’s new president. Kavelashvili’s election comes amidst ongoing protests sparked by the federal government’s choice to pause the nation’s bid to affix the European Union.
Kavelashvili, a former soccer participant recognized for his essential stance towards the West, obtained 224 out of 225 votes from the electoral faculty. All opposition events boycotted the vote, citing issues in regards to the equity of the October parliamentary elections, which Georgian Dream formally received.
The ruling Georgian Dream celebration’s choice to postpone EU accession till 2028 has angered many Georgians who help becoming a member of the EU. Earlier than the vote, a whole bunch protested exterior parliament, some symbolically enjoying soccer and waving pink playing cards in reference to Kavelashvili’s athletic previous.
Kavelashvili was nominated by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a billionaire and former prime minister broadly thought-about influential in Georgian politics. Kavelashvili co-authored a controversial regulation requiring organisations receiving vital overseas funding to register as brokers of overseas affect.
Outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili has opposed Georgian Dream’s insurance policies and expressed help for the protests. She has stated that she’s going to stay president and questioned the legitimacy of the parliament. Opposition events agree and plan to proceed recognizing Zourabichvili because the reputable president after Kavelashvili’s inauguration on December 29.
The current protests, which have drawn 1000’s nightly for over two weeks, have often led to clashes with police. The federal government claims the protests are an try to seize energy. Tons of of protesters have been detained, and the inside ministry stories that over 150 officers have been injured. Parliament just lately accepted new restrictions on protests, together with elevated fines and bans on sure gadgets.
