The Georgian Dream's presidential candidate will be Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former football player, two-term MP, and one of the leaders of the People's Power party, known for its anti-Western messages. Bidzina Ivanishvili announced this during a briefing following the conclusion of the political council meeting.
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The illegitimate parliament has decided that the presidential elections will be held on December 14, with the inauguration scheduled for December 29.
“I am pleased to inform you that, by the decision of the party’s political council, I present to you the candidacy of Mikheil Kavelashvili for the post of President of Georgia,” Ivanishvili said. According to him, Kavelashvili has significantly contributed to protecting Georgia’s national interests in recent years.
“Over the years, as a successful athlete, he has defended the dignity of Georgia. Misha was a seasoned member of the Georgian football team and is a multiple champion in several countries. His football career includes associations with Tbilisi’s Dinamo, Vladikavkaz’s Alania, Manchester City, and leading Swiss football clubs. Even before beginning his political career, Mikheil Kavelashvili consistently expressed his principled stance on all issues vital to the country. Over the past eight years, Mikheil Kavelashvili has been engaged in successful political activities. He has been one of the standout members of our political team and, especially in recent years, has made a major contribution to protecting Georgia’s national interests and strengthening the country’s sovereignty. Honesty, justice, patriotism, and loyalty to principles are qualities that distinguish Mikheil Kavelashvili.
By nature, or if you prefer, by habit, he is the best embodiment of a Georgian man. He is an excellent husband and father of four children. Taking all this into account, the team decided to nominate Mikheil Kavelashvili for the post of President of Georgia.
I am confident that Mikheil Kavelashvili will restore the dignity that has been temporarily stripped from the institution of the President.
The inauguration of the new President will take place on December 29, and from that day forward, the brutal practice of betraying the country and the systematic violation of the Constitution by the President of Georgia, which has caused great harm to the institution of the Presidency, will be a thing of the past. There is no doubt that Mikheil Kavelashvili will serve not a foreign power, but the Georgian state and the Georgian people, and will contribute to the progress and success of our country,” Ivanishvili said, wishing Kavelashvili success in his future role as President of Georgia.
Mikheil Kavelashvili was a football player until 2006. In 2015, he expressed interest in becoming president of the Football Federation and stated his intention to challenge in court a provision in the federation's charter that required presidential candidates to have a higher education. To date, no document has been publicly found (including on the parliament's website) to confirm Kavelashvili’s higher education. In 2016, Mikheil Kavelashvili was elected as a majoritarian MP from Sanzoni in the Georgian Dream party, and in 2020, he was re-elected as a majoritarian MP from Nadzaladevi.
Salome Zourabichvili is the last president to be directly elected by universal suffrage. The sixth president of Georgia will be elected for a five-year term by a 300-member electoral college, which will include members of the Georgian Parliament and representative bodies of the autonomous republics of Abkhazia and Adjara, as well as representatives from local governments.
At least 30 members of the Electoral College have the right to nominate a presidential candidate. Each member can support only one candidate. A candidate will be considered elected president if they receive the support of two-thirds of the entire Electoral College. Otherwise, a second round will be held.
