Ex-football star Kavelashvili: Georgia chooses controversial president!

Ex-football star Kavelashvili: Georgia chooses controversial president!

The former football star Mikheil Kavelashvili is the sole candidate in the spotlight - a controversial election process that heats the minds!

A storm moves over Georgia! The country's ruling party, Georgian Dream, is planning to appoint a former football player as the new president. Mikheil Kavelashvili, once striker at Manchester City, ventured into the political arena and is expected to win the election on Saturday. But the circumstances are anything but usual!

In a choice that is not presented to the people, but a 300-member election college, the 53-year-old is the only candidate to be sent into the race. This decision follows the controversial elections in October, which were overshadowed by allegations such as bribery and double voices.

a boycott of the opposition

The opposition has decided to boycott participation in this process. "There is no alternative candidate ... The opposition sees this government as illegitimate," reports Al Jazera correspondent Dmitry Medvedenko from Tbilisi. The political tensions are increasing, while nationwide protests against the results of the parliamentary elections on October 26th.

The incumbent President Salome Zurabichvili, who was chosen six years ago by the votes of the people, described the current legislative as "unmatched". It calls for a "legitimate president" who is elected by the people instead of a parliament that does not enjoy legitimacy. "We are at a turning point. Either we win this fight ... or we get into a regime that resembles that of [Vladimir] Putin," she warns.

In the capital Tbilisi, people gather while the vote begins. After the government has announced, the protests are increasing to postpone the talks about the EU accession to 2028. The police react with tear gas and water cannons, which leads to over 400 arrests - a violent answer to the displeasure of the citizens!

a dangerous course to Moscow

Kavelashvili, who started politics in 2016, has joined together with two other members of the Georgian Dream party to form a splinter group called People’s Power, which is known for their anti-Western attitude. Critics accuse the party of becoming increasingly authoritarian and turning to Moscow. The latest laws on "foreign agents" are reminiscent of the repressive measures of the Kremlin against freedom of expression and LGBTQ+rights.

The international community observes developments with concern. The French President Emmanuel Macron has guaranteed the Georgians in a video message for their support for their European and democratic endeavors. Washington has imposed new sanctions against Georgian officials who are accused of undermining democracy in the country.

The political landscape in Georgia is tense and the outcome of this choice could have far -reaching consequences. While Kavelashvili makes its way to the presidency, the question remains: Will he become a president of the people or a tool of the powerful?