Georgia’s governing party set to install former footballer as new president
Al Jazeera
Ex-Man City striker Mikheil Kavelashvili is the only candidate standing in a vote put to politicians rather than the people.
Georgia’s governing party is set to anoint a former footballer turned far-right politician as the country’s new president in a controversial new voting process following disputed elections in October.
Mikheil Kavelashvili, nominated by the Georgian Dream party, is slated to win Saturday’s vote which is being put to a 300-seat electoral college rather than the people, following changes to the constitution seven years ago.
The 53-year-old is the only candidate standing in the election.
Reporting from Tbilisi, Al Jazeera’s Dmitry Medvedenko said: “There’s no alternative candidate … because the opposition believes this government is illegitimate, so they’re not taking part in any processes that would legitimise the government.”
The opposition has boycotted parliament amid nationwide protests over the outcome of legislative elections on October 26, during which observers reported instances of bribery and double voting.
