Georgia Elects Far-Right Ex-Soccer Player as President Amid Protests

Georgian lawmakers have elected Mikheil Kavelashvili, a far-right former soccer player, as the country's president, intensifying tensions between the pro-Russian government and pro-Western opposition. Kavelashvili, the sole candidate, was chosen by a parliamentary electoral college after opposition groups boycotted the process. His presidency is expected to deepen divisions amid ongoing protests against the government's decision to halt EU accession talks. Critics question Kavelashvili's qualifications and view his election as a move away from Western values.