The elections for the sixth president of Georgia have begun in the country's parliament. The voting is broadcast on Channel One of the Georgian Public Radio.
For the first time, the president will be elected not by direct popular vote, but at a meeting of a commission consisting of 300 voters. Among them are 150 deputies of the Parliament of Georgia, 21 deputies of the Supreme Council of Adjara, 20 representatives of the Supreme Council of Abkhazia and 109 deputies of municipal authorities of various regions of the country.
The opposition, which boycotted the work of the parliament, did not participate in the elections and did not present its candidate for president.
Thus, the only candidate for the post of president of Georgia is the nominee of the ruling party “Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia“, former MP and former football player Mikhail Kavelashvili.
The Central Election Commission of Georgia is expected to announce the results of the elections by 14:00 local time. If Kavelashvili does not collect two-thirds of the votes of the total number of voters, a second round will be scheduled, which will be held on the same day. To win the second round, Kavelashvili will need to receive a simple majority of the votes.
The president of Georgia will be elected for a five-year term. The inauguration of the new head of state will take place on December 29.