Georgia’s ruling party on Saturday installed a far-right loyalist as president in a controversial election process, amid a deepening constitutional crisis and weeks of mass pro-EU protests. The Black Sea nation has been in turmoil since the governing Georgian Dream party claimed victory in contested October parliamentary elections.

Georgia's ruling party on Saturday voted for a far-right former footballer to become president in a controversial election process, amid a deepening constitutional crisis and weeks of mass pro-EU protests.

The country's opposition have said recent political upheaval has been a blow to the country’s European aspirations and a victory for its former imperial ruler, Russia.

The four largest opposition forces in Georgia have appealed to the European Union against the backdrop of the approval of the Georgian Dream candidate and ex-footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili as the new president.

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.

The President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, came out to the protesters who gathered on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, protesting against the parliament's approval of Mikheil Kavelashvili as the new president.

Former professional soccer player Mikheil Kavelashvili was the only candidate nominated for the post. Read more at straitstimes.com.