Georgian parliament bats away protests to set presidential vote
Al Jazeera
Despite claims its election victory is illegitimate, Georgian Dream party plans vote for new president on December 14, using rules it pushed through in 2017.
Georgian lawmakers have agreed to select a new president in a parliamentary vote on December 14.
The parliament set the date in a session on Tuesday, amid a boycott by the opposition, which says last month’s elections were rigged. The installation of a new president promises to cement the grip of the ruling Georgian Dream party that was declared victor.
The date was selected under new rules pushed through by Georgian Dream in 2017, which are criticised as designed to ensure a loyalist’s victory. For the first time, the president will be chosen by an electoral college instead of a popular vote.
The new leader’s inauguration for a five-year term, instead of the current six years, will take place on December 29, according to the parliamentary decree agreed on Tuesday.
Antigovernment protests called by incumbent President Salome Zourabichvili persist in Tbilisi with opposition parties continuing to dispute the results of the October 26 parliamentary elections. The pro-Western head of state’s six-year term ends next month.
