Mikheil Kavelashvili, the 53-year-old former footballer, was elected president of Georgia on December 16, 2024, marking a significant shift in the nation’s political landscape. His victory comes amid growing concerns over Georgia’s alignment with Russia, following constitutional changes that replaced direct presidential elections with a 300-seat electoral college. Kavelashvili’s candidacy, strongly backed by the Georgian Dream party, reflects the ruling party’s increasing authoritarian tendencies, as critics warn that this election may undermine Georgia’s European Union aspirations.
