Mikhail Kavelashvili elected president by parliament

Hundreds of people gathered in front of the Georgian parliament before the presidential vote early in the morning of Saturday, December 14. All with the hope of avoiding the election of Mikhail Kavelashvili, a pro-Russian and anti-European Union candidate. “We do not recognize this parliament as legitimate. This is why we are here,” said one protester.

But at the end of the morning, the result is clear for the electoral college made up of electors. A vote boycotted by the oppositions. 224 votes were cast in favor of presidential candidate Mikhail Kavelashvili and he was elected President of Georgia as a result. In the streets, footballs and red cards are out to recall the new president’s past as a former professional footballer. Outgoing President Salomé Zourabichvili said she would stay in office after the end of her term, deeming the parliament illegitimate.

Watch the full report in the video above.