Former professional footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili has been named the new president of Georgia following a parliamentary vote amid ongoing pro-European protests across the country.
The 53-year-old, once a player for Manchester City and Swiss league clubs, received overwhelming support from parliament, securing 224 out of 225 votes. Kavelashvili, a former member of the ruling Georgian Dream party, entered politics in 2016 and later co-founded the political movement People’s Power in 2022.
His appointment comes after 17 days of mass demonstrations advocating for closer ties with Europe, signaling a critical moment for the country’s political landscape. With his unique background in both sports and politics, Kavelashvili steps into leadership at a pivotal time for Georgia’s future.
