Georgia Faces Institutional Crisis Amid Presidential Election Protests
This Saturday, Georgia is set to elect a new president amid an atmosphere of political uncertainty and public unrest. The election will not be conducted by popular vote, as was the custom in previous elections, but rather through an electoral college established following a constitutional reform initiated by the ruling party, Georgian Dream, in 2017. This party, which has been in power since 2012, has increasingly faced accusations of repression against dissenting voices and of undermining democratic principles.
The sole candidate in this election is Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former football player endorsed by Georgian Dream. However, all opposition parties have vowed to boycott the election, asserting that they do not recognize a parliament which they claim was formed through dubious means during the legislative elections last October. With this boycott, the opposition hopes to delegitimize the electoral process.
For over three weeks, large-scale protests have erupted across the country. These demonstrations initially began in response to Georgian Dream's victory in the legislative elections but have since expanded in scope. Protesters are particularly incensed by the government’s decision to delay discussions on European Union membership until 2028—an issue that resonates deeply with many Georgians. The protests have grown increasingly violent, leading to clashes with law enforcement, mass arrests, and allegations of torture and abuse within detention facilities.
In a rare moment of solidarity, outgoing President Salomé Zourabichvili has aligned herself with the protesters, describing the current political scenario as one that lacks legitimacy. Zourabichvili, who is the last directly elected president after the 2018 elections, has declared her intention to remain in office until new elections are conducted. This places her in direct conflict with Georgian Dream, which has instructed her to vacate the presidential palace by December 29.
The incoming electoral college includes 300 members, composed of 150 parliamentarians—of which 88 are from Georgian Dream—and 150 regional delegates. The opposition coalition, which previously held significant legislative seats, has opted not to participate in this process, further intensifying the political impasse. As voting commenced this morning, anticipation swells concerning potential protests and further unrest outside the parliament building.
Both Georgian Dream and President Zourabichvili have exchanged accusations of constitutional breaches, reflecting the deep divisions within the country. Zourabichvili claims that the government hastily convened the parliament session without her consent, while Georgian Dream argues that her refusal to call the session oversteps her authority.
Media reports highlight Zourabichvili's assertion that the recent elections constituted a violation of the public's trust, influenced by external operations allegedly orchestrated by Russia. The opposition political factions have reiterated demands for fresh elections, declaring the current parliament incapable of legitimately electing a new president. They consider Zourabichvili the only viable leader capable of safeguarding Georgia's European aspirations, which has united the public in rallies in her support.
The current presidential candidate Kavelashvili comes from a splinter group of Georgian Dream known as Power to the People. His candidacy, perceived by many as a strategic move by the ruling party, seeks to present a façade of opposition while dismantling genuine dissent. Kavelashvili's association with the controversial foreign agents law, which aims to regulate media and NGOs based on foreign funding, is indicative of the governmental control over civil society.
The possible election of Kavelashvili represents a considerable shift in Georgia's political landscape, undermining the lingering resistance from pro-European factions who argue that replacing Zourabichvili would eliminate the last institutional balance against a heavily pro-Russian government. As tensions escalate, the nation watches closely, caught between aspirations for European integration and the looming shadow of domestic repression.
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