Micheil Kavelasjvili, a former player for the Georgian national football team and Manchester City, transitioned to politics in 2016, aligning with the Georgian Dream party. He later founded his own party with strong anti-Western, pro-Russian views. Known for his extreme rhetoric against LGBTQ+ individuals and opposition members, Kavelasjvili is a controversial choice for president among critics, who see him as a puppet influenced by oligarch Bidzina Ivanisjvili. His appointment symbolizes a tangible shift towards pro-Russian policies in Georgia.