TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Former soccer player Mikheil Kavelashvili became president of Georgia on Saturday, as the ruling party tightened its grip in what the opposition calls a blow to the country’s EU aspirations and a victory for former imperial ruler Russia.
Associated PressGeorgian president-elect Mikheil Kavelashvili, 2nd right, poses for a selfie at the Georgian parliament, in Tbilisi, Georgia, Saturday. Dec. 14, 2024. Mikheil Kavelashvili became president of Georgia on Saturday, as the ruling party tightened its grip in what the opposition calls a blow to the country’s EU aspirations and a victory for former imperial ruler Russia.
Georgian Dream has vowed to continue pushing toward EU accession but also wants to “reset” ties with Russia.two breakaway regionsCritics have accused Georgian Dream — established by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a shadowy billionaire who made his fortune in Russia — of becoming increasingly authoritarian and tilted toward Moscow, accusations the ruling party has denied. The party recentlysimilar to those used by the Kremlin to crack down on freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ rights.
“I remain your president — there is no legitimate Parliament and thus no legitimate election or inauguration,” she has declared on the social network X. “My mandate continues.” “Georgia has been always resisting Russian influence and will not accept having its vote stolen and its destiny stolen,” she said.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze meanwhile said that Kavelashvili’s election “will make a significant contribution to strengthening Georgia’s statehood and our sovereignty, as well as reducing radicalism and so-called polarization.” Kavelashvili was one of the authors of a controversial law requiring organizations that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as “pursuing the interest of a foreign power,” similar to a Russian law used to discredit organizations critical of the government.
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