Parts of this article (those related to Current President) need to be updated. The reason given is: There is a new president soon to be sworn in as of the 14th of Dec. 2024, and someone familiar with Georgian politics should update the details. source here. (December 2024) |
President of Georgia საქართველოს პრეზიდენტი | |
---|---|
since 16 December 2018 | |
Office of the President of Georgia Head of State of Georgia | |
Residence | Orbeliani Palace |
Appointer | Direct popular vote:
|
Term length | Effective 1991:
|
Constituting instrument | Constitution of Georgia |
Inaugural holder | Zviad Gamsakhurdia |
Formation | 14 April 1991 |
Deputy | Chairperson of the Parliament |
Salary | 13,000 GEL per month[1][2] |
Website | Official website |
Georgia portal |
The president of Georgia (Georgian: საქართველოს პრეზიდენტი, romanized: sakartvelos p'rezident'i) is the ceremonial head of state of Georgia as well as the commander-in-chief of the Defence Forces. The constitution defines the presidential office as "the guarantor of the country's unity and national independence."[3]
The president is largely a figurehead as in many parliamentary democracies. Executive power is vested in the Government and the prime minister. The office was first introduced by the Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia on 14 April 1991, five days after Georgia's declaration of independence from the Soviet Union.[4] The president serves a five-year term.
The current president is Salome Zourabichvili. Following Georgia's transition to a fully parliamentary system, she is currently the last president to be elected directly by the citizens of Georgia. Mikheil Kavelashvili was elected by the electoral college to succeed her and is scheduled to take office on 29 December 2024, although this appointment is disputed by opposition parties as well as Zourabichvili.