If you ask a resident of Tbilisi who their president is, you might get two very different answers. Honestly, it depends on which side of the political fence they’re standing on. It's a bit of a mess.
As of early 2026, Mikheil Kavelashvili is the man recognized by the Georgian government as the country's sixth president. He was sworn in on December 29, 2024. But there's a huge asterisk next to his name. Salome Zourabichvili, his predecessor, still claims she's the only legitimate leader of the nation.
Who is the President of Georgia right now?
Mikheil Kavelashvili took the oath of office in a ceremony held inside the parliament building, effectively ending the official term of Salome Zourabichvili. If you look at official government buildings or international protocols recognized by allies like Russia or Hungary, Kavelashvili is the guy.
He didn't come from a traditional political background. Kavelashvili is actually a former professional footballer. He played as a striker for Manchester City in the mid-90s and spent a significant chunk of his career in Switzerland. He’s 54 now. After hanging up his boots, he pivoted to politics, joining the ruling Georgian Dream party before co-founding a more radical, anti-Western movement called People’s Power.
The way he got the job was a first for Georgia.
✨ Don't miss: Melissa Calhoun Satellite High Teacher Dismissal: What Really Happened
For the first time ever, the president wasn't elected by the people. Instead, a 300-member "electoral college" made up of MPs and local representatives did the voting. Since the ruling party has a firm grip on those seats, Kavelashvili—the only candidate on the ballot—won almost unanimously with 224 votes.
The Zourabichvili Standoff
But wait. It gets more complicated. Salome Zourabichvili refused to acknowledge the election or the inauguration.
On the day Kavelashvili was sworn in, she walked out of the Orbeliani Palace wearing the same white-and-red outfit she wore to her own inauguration six years prior. It was a calculated, symbolic move. She told a crowd of protesters that the parliament that elected Kavelashvili was illegitimate because the October 2024 parliamentary elections were rigged.
"I remain the only legitimate president," Zourabichvili declared.
🔗 Read more: Wisconsin Judicial Elections 2025: Why This Race Broke Every Record
She hasn't just gone away. Throughout 2025 and into early 2026, she has functioned as a sort of "president-in-exile" within her own country, representing the pro-European aspirations of a huge portion of the population. She’s essentially the face of the opposition.
Why the Georgia Presidency is Disputed
You’ve gotta understand the stakes here. This isn't just about two people arguing over a title. It's a tug-of-war between the West and Russia.
- The Pro-Government View: The Georgian Dream party argues that the new system—where the president is more of a ceremonial figurehead elected by an assembly—is more stable. They see Kavelashvili as a patriot who protects "traditional values" and prevents the country from being dragged into foreign conflicts.
- The Opposition View: Pro-EU protesters and Zourabichvili see this as a "constitutional coup." They argue that by removing the public's right to vote for their president and installing a loyalist, the ruling party has essentially killed Georgia's democracy.
Kavelashvili has been pretty vocal with anti-Western rhetoric. He was one of the big proponents of the "foreign influence" law, which sounds a lot like Russia’s "foreign agent" laws used to crack down on NGOs. This led the European Union to freeze Georgia's path to membership.
It's a weird vibe in the capital. You have a president in the palace (Kavelashvili) and a president in the streets (Zourabichvili).
💡 You might also like: Casey Ramirez: The Small Town Benefactor Who Smuggled 400 Pounds of Cocaine
Key Facts About Mikheil Kavelashvili
He isn't your typical diplomat. He’s known for being blunt and, frankly, quite aggressive toward critics.
- Sports Career: Played for Dinamo Tbilisi, Manchester City, and Grasshopper Zurich.
- Politics: Joined Parliament in 2016. Known for being extremely critical of US and EU "interference."
- Inauguration: Held behind closed doors in December 2024 while thousands protested outside.
Looking Ahead in 2026
Where does this leave things? Well, the political crisis hasn't really cooled off.
The US government has had a mixed response, with some lawmakers even suggesting that Zourabichvili should be the only one recognized by Washington. Meanwhile, the Georgian government under Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze continues to back Kavelashvili and move further away from EU integration.
If you're tracking this for travel or business, the main thing to know is that the country is split. The "official" president is Mikheil Kavelashvili, but his legitimacy is a daily debate in the cafes of Tbilisi.
Next Steps for Staying Informed:
If you're following the situation, keep a close eye on the Constitutional Court rulings regarding the 2024 elections, as those legal battles are still trickling through the system. Additionally, watch for any shifts in the EU's stance on Georgian sanctions; these decisions often dictate how much "soft power" Zourabichvili actually retains in the eyes of the international community.