By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Following the October parliamentary elections, which were widely criticized as neither free nor fair, Georgia’s electoral college appointed Mikheil Kavelashvili, a hardline critic of the West, as the next president. Incumbent President Salome Zourabichvili denounced the election as a “mockery of democracy,” rejecting the results and claiming the parliament lacks legitimacy to choose her successor. Zourabichvili, who has clashed repeatedly with the ruling Georgian Dream party, vows to remain president, citing concerns about the party’s pro-Russia stance and increasing authoritarianism. Opposition parties also support Zourabichvili’s claim of continued legitimacy.
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Georgia’s outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili’s vehement denouncement of her successor’s appointment as a “mockery of democracy” highlights a deep crisis within the country’s political system. The appointment of Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former footballer and hardline critic of the West, as the new president, following a vote where he was the sole candidate, has ignited a firestorm of controversy. This singular candidacy, with almost unanimous support from the electoral college, reeks of a pre-ordained outcome, hardly representative of a free and fair election.
The very nature of the process itself raises serious questions about the legitimacy of the Georgian parliament. The fact that Kavelashvili ran unopposed, a tactic not even employed by authoritarian regimes known for their rigged elections, strongly suggests a manipulated system designed to secure a predetermined result. This casts a long shadow over the entire process, making it difficult to view the outcome as anything but a blatant power grab.
The timing of Kavelashvili’s appointment further exacerbates the situation. Zourabichvili, who has clashed repeatedly with the ruling Georgian Dream party, considers the October parliamentary elections, which maintained Georgian Dream’s grip on power, to be illegitimate, rife with alleged rigging and potential Russian interference. She views the parliament resulting from these elections as fundamentally illegitimate, thereby rendering the presidential selection process equally illegitimate.
Zourabichvili’s refusal to accept the new president underscores her conviction that the entire process was a farce. Her declaration that she will remain president, rejecting the authority of the parliament to select her successor, is a bold move, reflecting her deep distrust of the system and her commitment to opposing what she sees as a blatant undermining of democratic principles. Her stance is echoed by opposition parties, who also refuse to recognize Kavelashvili’s legitimacy.
Kavelashvili’s profile adds another layer of complexity to this situation. His known anti-Western stance and involvement in legislation seen as restrictive of free speech and NGO activity, combined with his lack of democratic credentials, have fueled concerns about a potential shift toward authoritarianism and closer ties with Russia. These concerns are further aggravated by the government’s recent decision to put EU accession talks on hold until at least 2028, a decision that followed criticism of the October elections’ fairness by the European Parliament.
The ongoing protests, which escalated after the decision to postpone EU accession talks, underscore the widespread discontent with the Georgian Dream party’s actions. These protests represent a powerful expression of the public’s opposition to what many perceive as a systematic erosion of democratic norms and a move toward closer alignment with Russia. The government’s steadfast refusal to engage with the opposition only further fuels the flames of dissent, raising the specter of further unrest and potential instability.
The situation in Georgia is delicate and complex, presenting a significant challenge to democratic principles. The stark opposition between the outgoing president and the incoming one highlights a deep political divide and a system seemingly manipulated to maintain the Georgian Dream party’s control. The international community, including the EU, will be watching closely as the situation unfolds, concerned about the implications for Georgia’s democratic future and its aspirations for closer ties with the West. The events unfolding in Georgia serve as a stark reminder of how easily democratic institutions can be subverted and the importance of safeguarding against such manipulations. The outcome will determine the future trajectory of Georgia, a country struggling to balance its geopolitical position amidst competing interests.