Georgian ex-footballer and far-right politician Mikheil Kavelashvili is poised to become Tbilisi’s next figurehead president through an indirect election widely criticised as “illegitimate” by the current pro-EU leader, Salome Zurabishvili.
Kavelashvili, a former forward for Manchester City in the English Premier League, was nominated by the governing Georgian Dream party, known for its dominance in Georgian politics. The 53-year-old has drawn controversy for his expletive-laden speeches in parliament and inflammatory remarks against government critics and LGBTQ people.
The electoral college, controlled by Georgian Dream, is expected to confirm Kavelashvili’s presidency. This process follows constitutional changes enacted in 2017 that abolished the popular vote for electing the president, a move that has been criticised as undemocratic.
Kavelashvili’s likely ascent comes amid weeks of anti-government protests in Tbilisi. Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets, denouncing Georgian Dream’s decision to pause EU accession talks and accusing the party of consolidating power under the influence of billionaire founder Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Protesters have labelled Kavelashvili as a “puppet” of Ivanishvili. Historian Nika Gobronidze, 53, voiced his disapproval, stating, “I can hardly imagine anyone less suited for the role of head of state.” He likened the situation to Roman Emperor Caligula’s infamous wish to appoint his horse as consul, adding, “Our oligarch wants his puppet Kavelashvili to be a president.”
Sporting a moustache and slicked-back hair, Kavelashvili has drawn ire for his divisive rhetoric. He has criticised Western nations for promoting what he termed “LGBTQ ideology,” claiming it undermines societal values.
“The West wants as many people as possible (to be) neutral and tolerant toward the LGBTQ ideology, which supposedly defends the weak but is, in fact, an act against humanity,” Kavelashvili declared, echoing Georgian Dream’s adoption of Kremlin-inspired laws curbing LGBTQ rights.
Born in the small southwestern town of Bolnisi in 1971, Kavelashvili began his football career in the 1980s, playing for Georgian and Russian clubs. He joined Manchester City in 1995, scoring on his debut against Manchester United, but later struggled to secure regular playing time at Swiss club Grasshoppers.
After stints at several Swiss clubs, including Zurich, Luzern, and Basel, Kavelashvili transitioned into politics. His bid to become president of the Georgian Football Federation in 2015 was thwarted due to his lack of higher education, a requirement for the role.
Kavelashvili became a member of parliament for Georgian Dream in 2016 and was re-elected in October 2024, though opposition groups have refused to recognise the results, citing allegations of election rigging. In 2022, he co-founded the People’s Power faction, an anti-Western group that critics describe as a satellite of Georgian Dream.
Kavelashvili’s nomination comes as Georgia grapples with a constitutional crisis. Zurabishvili has declared the parliament and government “illegitimate” following what she alleges were flawed October parliamentary elections. She has vowed not to step down at the end of her term on December 29 unless Georgian Dream organises a fresh vote.
Constitutional law experts, including Vakhtang Khmaladze, a key figure in drafting Georgia’s constitution, have labelled the upcoming presidential election as “illegitimate.” Critics argue that the electoral changes favour Georgian Dream’s consolidation of power and undermine the democratic process.
As Tbilisi remains engulfed in protests and political turmoil, Kavelashvili’s expected presidency is likely to deepen divisions and spark further unrest in a country already at a crossroads between European aspirations and Russian influence.
