Georgia elects Kavelashvili amid parliament protests
The Electoral College elected Mikheil Kavelashvili as the president of Georgia on Saturday, announced the Central Election Commission (CEC). The 53-year-old politician and former football player was the only candidate put forward by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
224 people from the Electoral College voted for Kavelashvili, which consists of 300 members, including parliamentarians and representatives of local authorities, reported Echo of the Caucasus (a branch of Radio Liberty).
According to the station's reports, representatives of opposition parties did not participate in the vote. At least two deputies of the Abkhazian People's Assembly also refused to take part in the election of the head of state.
For the first time, the president of Georgia was not elected through direct elections. Kavelashvili's inauguration is scheduled for 29th December.
Protests in front of the parliament
Since dawn, an anti-government demonstration has been underway in front of the parliament building. With each passing hour, the crowd grows larger. Protesters carry banners with messages: "Puppet President", "Not My President", as well as Georgian and EU flags.
Around the parliament premises and on the nearby Freedom Square, a police cordon and water cannon can be seen. Protesters have been provided with protective goggles, helmets, masks, and raincoats in case of a crackdown.
The majority, 211 Electoral College seats, are held by representatives of the ruling Georgian Dream party, while 69 belong to representatives of opposition parties. The remaining 20 are occupied by representatives of the Abkhazian People's Assembly, whose members have no party affiliation.
