Georgia’s political crisis has intensified following the appointment of a former Manchester City footballer, Mikheil Kavelashvili, as president. The controversial decision comes amid weeks of pro-EU demonstrations that have gripped cities and towns across the country.
Kavelashvili, 53, a member of the increasingly authoritarian Georgian Dream party, was the sole candidate for the position. On Saturday, he secured 224 out of 225 votes from Georgia’s electoral college. However, the legitimacy of his appointment has been rejected by opposition parties, who boycotted the vote and continue to insist that October’s elections were rigged.
Thousands of Georgians braved freezing temperatures on Saturday to protest outside parliament, with demonstrators draped in EU flags demanding fresh elections. The movement reflects deep frustration following the government’s decision to delay EU accession talks until 2028—despite overwhelming public support for integration into the European Union, a goal enshrined in Georgia’s constitution.
Outgoing pro-Western president Salome Zourabichvili denounced Kavelashvili’s election as a “travesty,” declaring herself the last defender of Georgia’s legitimate institutions. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, however, dismissed her concerns, stating that Zourabichvili’s term will end on December 29, at which point she must retire.
Growing Opposition to Georgian Dream
The ruling Georgian Dream party, founded by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, has faced mounting accusations of steering Georgia closer to Russia’s orbit. Large-scale protests erupted in late November after the government announced its delay of EU negotiations. Since then, diverse groups of protesters—including lawyers, IT workers, actors, and public sector employees—have taken to the streets to oppose what they describe as the country’s democratic backsliding.
Lawyer Davit Kikaleishvili, 47, emphasised the significance of their cause: “We are standing here to create a legal state once and for all, to respect the constitution and human rights.”
Kavelashvili’s rise has further fuelled discontent. Known for his affiliation with anti-Western propaganda, Kavelashvili co-founded the People’s Power party, a faction closely aligned with Georgian Dream. While he claims his party will act as a “healthy opposition,” critics argue it is another tool to undermine independent voices and consolidate power.
Guram Macharashvili, a key People’s Power MP, blamed foreign forces for creating what he called an “artificial crisis.” He and Kavelashvili are also the architects of Georgia’s controversial “foreign agents” law—legislation that opponents say mimics Russia’s measures to suppress dissent.
International Outcry and Allegations of Abuse
The international community has expressed growing alarm over Georgia’s political direction. Both the European Union and the United States have condemned the government for democratic erosion and alleged human rights violations. Transparency International reports that over 460 protesters have been detained in the past two weeks, with claims of torture and inhumane treatment.
The EU has criticised the “brutal and unlawful” police crackdown, while the U.S. State Department has imposed visa restrictions on Georgian officials. Calls for sanctions on top government figures, including Ivanishvili, have also intensified.
Meanwhile, pro-government groups have escalated harassment against civil society activists and journalists. Footage from recent days shows journalists being assaulted, with theatre workers joining Friday’s protests, chanting: “The police are everywhere, justice is nowhere.”
With Georgia’s political crisis deepening and pro-EU protests showing no sign of abating, the country’s future remains uncertain. For many Georgians, the fight is not only about democracy but also about safeguarding their European aspirations.
