TI Georgia: Georgian society does not recognize Kavrlashvili as legitimate president

Transparency International Georgia has declared Mikheil Kavelashvili an illegitimate president, labeling his election by the ruling Georgian Dream party as unilateral and undemocratic.

“On December 14, 2024, Bidzina Ivanishvili and his party selected their own president. Georgian Dream falsified the October 26, 2024, parliamentary elections and unlawfully seized power. Today, they unilaterally appointed Mikheil Kavelashvili as ‘President of Georgia,'” the statement reads.

Transparency International highlighted major violations, including the following:

* The first session of the parliament was convened without the President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, as required by the constitution.

* The new parliament recognized the mandates of its members, despite their election being legally challenged in the Constitutional Court, rendering this recognition invalid.

The organization reiterated that an illegitimate parliament cannot elect a legitimate president. Consequently, they assert that Kavlelishvili’s presidency is unlawful, exacerbating the political crisis in the country.

Transparency International urged Bidzina Ivanishvili to de-escalate the crisis by taking the following steps:

* Release all detainees arrested during protests and cease ongoing legal proceedings against them.

* Announce new elections under a reformed electoral administration and ensure the political neutrality of law enforcement agencies.