Ex-Man City Player Wins Georgian Presidential Election
Mikhail Kavelashvili has received the backing of more than 200 MPs from a total of 300. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Mikhail Kavelashvili’s candidacy has been supported by over 200 MPs out of 300.
The Georgian parliament has voted to appoint Mikhail Kavelashvili, a former Manchester City player and member of the ruling coalition, as the new president of the country.
Kavelashvili's candidacy received backing from 224 legislators out of 300, making him the sole candidate considered for the position. At 53 years old, he steps into a ceremonial role, as Georgia functions as a parliamentary republic where the prime minister and government hold executive power.
Following a significant victory by the ruling Georgian Dream party in October’s parliamentary elections, pro-EU opposition groups have voiced their refusal to acknowledge the presidential election results, citing ongoing protests.
In the capital, demonstrators gathered in the morning, waving Georgian and EU flags, and chanted “Salome! Salome!” in reference to the outgoing pro-Western president, Salome Zourabichvili.
Zourabichvili indicated earlier this week in an interview with Radio France Internationale that she plans to stay in the presidential palace despite her term ending officially on Monday, stating, “When a new president is legitimately chosen through an election, I will gladly give up my seat to him.”
This election marks the first instance in which the Georgian president is selected by MPs rather than through a popular vote.
Kavelashvili was previously affiliated with the Georgian Dream party before shifting to the newly-formed People’s Party in summer 2022. The People’s Party currently holds eight seats in parliament and is part of the ruling coalition.
Before entering politics, Kavelashvili had a distinguished career as a footballer, playing for Manchester City, Dinamo Tbilisi, Spartak Vladikavkaz, and several clubs in Switzerland, including Basel and Grasshoppers Zurich, amassing a total of 166 goals. He also represented the Georgian national team, earning 46 caps and scoring 9 goals.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
The Georgian parliament has voted to appoint Mikhail Kavelashvili, a former Manchester City player and member of the ruling coalition, as the new president of the country.
Kavelashvili's candidacy received backing from 224 legislators out of 300, making him the sole candidate considered for the position. At 53 years old, he steps into a ceremonial role, as Georgia functions as a parliamentary republic where the prime minister and government hold executive power.
Following a significant victory by the ruling Georgian Dream party in October’s parliamentary elections, pro-EU opposition groups have voiced their refusal to acknowledge the presidential election results, citing ongoing protests.
In the capital, demonstrators gathered in the morning, waving Georgian and EU flags, and chanted “Salome! Salome!” in reference to the outgoing pro-Western president, Salome Zourabichvili.
Zourabichvili indicated earlier this week in an interview with Radio France Internationale that she plans to stay in the presidential palace despite her term ending officially on Monday, stating, “When a new president is legitimately chosen through an election, I will gladly give up my seat to him.”
This election marks the first instance in which the Georgian president is selected by MPs rather than through a popular vote.
Kavelashvili was previously affiliated with the Georgian Dream party before shifting to the newly-formed People’s Party in summer 2022. The People’s Party currently holds eight seats in parliament and is part of the ruling coalition.
Before entering politics, Kavelashvili had a distinguished career as a footballer, playing for Manchester City, Dinamo Tbilisi, Spartak Vladikavkaz, and several clubs in Switzerland, including Basel and Grasshoppers Zurich, amassing a total of 166 goals. He also represented the Georgian national team, earning 46 caps and scoring 9 goals.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
