Mikheil Kavelashvili has been elected as the sixth President of Georgia with 224 votes out of 300, amid ongoing protests and controversy over the legitimacy of the elections.
Mikheil Kavelashvili Elected President of Georgia Amid Protests
Mikheil Kavelashvili has been elected the sixth President of Georgia, receiving 224 votes out of 300 from the Electoral College in an election marked by protests and political tensions. The voting, conducted in the Georgian parliament, saw only one candidate—Kavelashvili, nominated by the ruling party, "Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia."
The opposition, led by current President Salome Zurabishvili, has rejected the legitimacy of the election, labeling the parliament and government as unconstitutional. Protests erupted outside the parliament building during the vote, with demonstrators blocking streets and calling for new parliamentary elections. The parliament was heavily guarded by police amid the unrest.
A Symbolic Presidency
The role of the Georgian president is largely symbolic, with limited powers such as issuing pardons and vetoing laws. International representation by the president now requires government approval, following constitutional amendments that transitioned Georgia into a parliamentary republic in 2018.
Ongoing Protests
Protests in Georgia have persisted since late November, fueled by the government’s decision to delay EU accession negotiations until 2028. Demonstrators have accused the authorities of undermining Georgia’s European integration efforts. While initially marked by violent clashes, recent protests have become more subdued but remain widespread, with opposition groups and activists maintaining their stance against the ruling party.
Kavelashvili’s inauguration is set for December 29, but tensions continue to simmer. Outgoing President Salome Zurabishvili has refused to vacate the Orbeliani Palace, claiming she remains the country’s only legitimate representative until new parliamentary elections are held.
The political crisis raises questions about Georgia's democratic future and its path toward European integration, as protests and opposition to the ruling government show no signs of abating.
France said on Saturday it was considering taking reciprocal measures after Burkina Faso broke off diplomatic relations....
Ukrainian-made Flamingo missiles hit a plant producing artillery systems and components for missile launch systems in Russia's Volgograd region overni...
Iran said it struck targets linked to U.S. forces on Saturday in response to U.S. airstrikes on its southern coast, as each side continued to accuse t...
Japan remained on high alert Saturday as Typhoon Mekkhala approached the eastern coast after Typhoon Higos weakened into a tropical depression. Author...
A light aircraft crash into a high-rise building in Beijing's Chaoyang district on Friday killed one person and injured 13, the district government sa...
The United Nations Public Service Forum has opened in Tbilisi, Georgia, for the first time, bringing together 420 participants from nearly 100 countries to discuss public sector governance, digital transformation and citizen-centred service delivery.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze arrived in Dushanbe on 19 June 2026 for the first official visit by a Georgian head of government to Tajikistan, concluding a trip that produced a joint communiqué, multiple bilateral agreements and a new commission to deepen economic cooperation.
The European Parliament has adopted one of its strongest resolutions on Georgia to date, calling for the release of political prisoners, backing sanctions against senior officials and warning that continued democratic decline could jeopardise the country's EU ambitions and visa-free travel regime.
Three flags, one training ground and a clear message: defence cooperation in the South Caucasus remains firmly on track. Elite special operations units from Georgia, Türkiye and Azerbaijan have gathered in Mukhrovani for the latest edition of the Caucasian Eagle military exercise.
Tens of thousands of people are still unaccounted for after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. At least 589 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds are believed to be trapped under rubble, as emergency crews and international rescue teams race to respond.
The U.S. Senate rejected a resolution on Wednesday that would have directed President Donald Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress formally authorised military action.
ANEWZ can exclusively report that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to visit Azerbaijan on 1 July.
At least 188 people have been killed and 1,520 injured after powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said. The quakes caused widespread destruction around Caracas, collapsing buildings and trapping residents, with fears the toll could rise significantly.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has warned Ukraine not to try to draw his country into the war, saying any such move would change the conflict "instantly".
France said on Saturday it was considering taking reciprocal measures after Burkina Faso broke off diplomatic relations.
Ukrainian-made Flamingo missiles hit a plant producing artillery systems and components for missile launch systems in Russia's Volgograd region overnight, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday.
A light aircraft crash into a high-rise building in Beijing's Chaoyang district on Friday killed one person and injured 13, the district government said on Saturday in a statement posted on its social media account.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 27 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Germany and Poland are bracing for sweltering conditions as a deadly heatwave that has gripped Western Europe moves east, with temperatures expected to approach 40C over the weekend.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment