TBILISI Former soccer player Mikheil Kavelashvili became president of Georgia on Saturday, as the ruling party tightened its grip in what the opposition calls a blow to the country's EU aspirations and a victory for former imperial ruler Russia.
Kavelashvili, 53, easily won the vote given the Georgian Dream party's control of a 300-seat electoral college that replaced direct presidential elections in 2017.
Georgian Dream retained control of parliament in the South Caucasus nation in an Oct. 26 election that the opposition alleges was rigged with Moscow's help.
Georgia's outgoing president and main pro-Western parties have since boycotted parliamentary sessions and demanded a rerun of the ballot.
Georgian Dream has vowed to continue pushing toward EU accession but also wants to "reset" ties with Russia.
In 2008 Russia fought a brief war with Georgia, which led to Moscow's recognition of two breakaway regions as independent, and an increase in the Russian military presence in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
₹G20' TO BE RELEASED IN APRIL ON PRIME
LOS ANGELES [US]: Viola Davis is all set to come up with the thriller 'G20'.
FREEZE 'THE WILD ROBOT' FRAME COMING ON JAN 24
Universal/DreamWorks Animation's highly anticipated animated feature, 'The Wild Robot', will be available for streaming on Peacock starting Friday, January 24.
BEER, BOOKS AND CONVERSATIONS: A CITY'S CULTURAL SOUL
FEMALE GAZE SANDHYA MENDONCA I find my city becoming duller by the year.
Hyundai teases Creta electric ahead of 2025 launch
Hyundai has officially teased the upcoming Creta Electric, its latest electric SUV, which is anticipated to launch at the 2025 Bharat Mobility Global Expo.
China proposes export controls on critical EV technology
China is planning to impose new export restrictions on technologies used to extract minerals vital for the global electric vehicle (EV) industry, signalling an escalation in its ongoing tech rivalry with the United States, CNN reported.
BAJAJ AUTO DOMESTIC SALES SLUMPED IN DECEMBER, OFFSET BY RISE IN EXPORTS
In December 2024, Bajaj Auto's total sales (including two-wheelers and commercial vehicles) stood at 3,23,125 units, marginally lower by 1 per cent compared to 3,26,806 units in December 2023.
M&M records 16 per cent increase in December sales
Automotive company Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M Ltd.) witnessed a 16 per cent increase in overall automotive sales, with 69,768 units in December, the company stated on Wednesday in its exchange filing.
Maruti registers 30 per cent increase in December sales
In December 2024, Maruti Suzuki India sold a total of 178,248 car units, which is about 30 per cent higher than a year ago period.
EVs READY TO FLY, NO NEED FOR FURTHER SUBSIDY: GOYAL
India's electric mobility space is \"absolutely ready to fly\" and there is no need for newer incentives or subsidies, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said Friday, after a meeting with officials from various ministries and stakeholders of the Indian EV ecosystem.
LONELINESS: THE 21ST CENTURY PANDEMIC
We are born 'lonely'. When a child is born, the first instinct is to cry. This crying is not just a physical or biological reflex but also a psychological expression of distress. A newborn instinctively tries to hold onto something. If you offer your finger, the baby will grasp it tightly with its little fist. This inherent loneliness persists throughout a person's life-at three, thirteen, thirty, fifty, or eighty years old-craving something to hold on to. This is because the ego, the I-tendency we are born with, is by definition lonely.
