Opposition leaders have fiercely criticized the nomination of Mikheil Kavelashvili as Georgia’s presidential candidate by the ruling Georgian Dream party, with many accusing Honorary Chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili of disrespecting the Georgian people and undermining the country’s democratic institutions.
Roman Gotsiridze, an opposition politician, took to social media to condemn Ivanishvili’s decision, claiming that appointing Kavelashvili “spits on the soul of the Georgian people.”
Khatia Dekanoidze, a member of the opposition Unity – National Movement also slammed the nomination, describing Kavelashvili as “uneducated”.
She called him the “most prominent anti-Westerner” in Ivanishvili’s presidential portfolio and accused the ruling party of undermining Georgia’s foreign policy and its ties with the West. In a sarcastic post on social media, Dekanoidze suggested that Kavelashvili would prioritize Russian interests over Western demands, mocking the potential consequences of such a leadership choice.
Zurab Japaridze, leader of the opposition Coalition for Changes, called the Georgian Dream’s actions unconstitutional, arguing that the parliament’s current composition was illegitimate. He referred to the parliament building as a “Bidzina tent” and accused its members of being more loyal to Ivanishvili than to the Georgian people.
Paata Manjgaladze, also echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that Kavelashvili’s nomination was part of a deliberate effort to discredit and damage Georgia’s state institutions. He called the government’s actions “unacceptable” and vowed to continue the struggle to restore power to the people of Georgia.
Kavelashvili’s candidacy has intensified tensions between the ruling party and opposition, with opponents accusing the Georgian Dream of pushing a divisive agenda that risks further alienating the country from its Western partners.
The nomination also comes amid the opposition’s protest to “rigged” October general elections.
