Georgia’s governing party taps pro-Russian ex-footballer for president
Al Jazeera
Mikheil Kavelashvili viewed as shoo-in for ceremonial post given Georgian Dream’s influence over electoral college vote.
Georgia’s governing party has nominated far-right politician Mikheil Kavelashvili as its candidate for president after disputed parliamentary elections last month.
Bidzina Ivanishvili, the billionaire honorary chairman of the Georgian Dream party, announced the decision on Wednesday, calling the 53-year-old former deputy and footballer “the embodiment of a Georgian man” before a vote on the mostly ceremonial position on December 14.
Kavelashvili, a striker in the Premier League for Manchester City in the mid-1990s who later became known for his hardline, anti-Western statements as leader of a Georgian Dream splinter group called People’s Power, is all but certain to win the electoral college vote, given the ruling party’s sway over its members.
The Black Sea nation has been rocked by turmoil since Georgian Dream won disputed parliamentary elections on October 26, which were widely seen as a referendum on the country’s effort to join the European Union.
President Salome Zurabishvili has declared the new legislature “unconstitutional” and is seeking to annul the election results, alleging the vote was rigged under Russian influence.
Man City manager admits his team are defensively ‘not stable’ after conceding three goals in 15 minutes in the Champions League.
As a wave of election upsets batters the region, the Southern African country could be next.
US president-elect taps Jamieson Greer and Kevin Hassett as trade representative and top economic adviser, respectively.
These were the key developments on the 1,006th day of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
The S&P 500 rises 0.57 percent after US president-elect’s tariff announcements roil European and Asian markets.
Relations between powerful vice president and president continue to deteriorate, as investigators summon Duterte.
US President-elect Trump has sidestepped agreements that would require donor disclosures and vetting for government picks.
An 884-page report by Brazil’s police details former President Bolsonaro’s alleged attempt to overturn the 2022 election.
Israel, Hezbollah traded fire before a ceasefire, which US said would see Israelis withdraw from Lebanon over 60 days.
Authorities confirm criminal investigation being conducted over allegations of harassment.
