President of Georgia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids President of Georgia საქართველოს პრეზიდენტი
Presidential standard
Incumbent Mikheil Kavelashvili Disputed since 29 December 2024
Office of the President of Georgia
Residence	Orbeliani Palace (since Nov 2018)
Appointer	Electoral college
Term length	Five years, renewable once
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Georgia (1995)
Inaugural holder	Zviad Gamsakhurdia
Formation	14 April 1991 (34 years ago) (1991-04-14)
Deputy	Chairperson of the Parliament
Salary	13,000 GEL (€4,500) per month

The President of Georgia (Georgian: საქართველოს პრეზიდენტი, romanized: sakartvelos p'rezident'i) is the country's main representative. This person is the head of state for Georgia. They are also the top leader of Georgia's military. The country's constitution says the president makes sure Georgia stays united and independent.

In Georgia, like in many countries with a parliamentary system, the president mostly has a symbolic role. This means they represent the country but the main power to run the government is with the Prime Minister and the Government. However, the president still has some important powers, like being able to pardon people who have been found guilty of crimes. The job of president was first created on April 14, 1991. This was just five days after Georgia declared its independence from the Soviet Union. A president serves for five years.

On December 14, 2024, a group called the Electoral Assembly chose Mikheil Kavelashvili as the new president. He officially started his job on December 29, 2024. This was the first time Georgia's president was chosen by an indirect vote, meaning citizens didn't vote directly. This change happened because of new rules added to the constitution in 2017. Some political groups, experts in Georgian law, and even some international groups do not agree with Kavelashvili's presidency. They believe that Salome Zourabichvili is still the rightful president.

Who Can Be President?

To become the President of Georgia, a person must be a Georgian citizen who can vote. They need to be at least 35 years old. Also, they must have lived in Georgia for at least 15 years. Someone who is also a citizen of another country cannot be the President of Georgia. The president is also not allowed to be a member of any political party.

How the President is Chosen

Since 2024, the President of Georgia is chosen for a five-year term. This is done by a special group called the Electoral College. This group has 300 members. It includes all members of the Parliament of Georgia. It also includes members from the main governing bodies of the regions of Abkhazia and Adjara. Plus, members from local governments (cities and towns) are part of it.

A person can only be elected President of Georgia two times. At least 30 members of the Electoral College must agree to suggest a candidate for president. The Parliament decides that the presidential election will happen in October.

Removing the President from Office

One-third of all members of Parliament can suggest removing the President of Georgia from office. This process is called impeachment. The president can be removed if at least two-thirds of the Parliament members agree. However, the president cannot be impeached during a state of emergency or when the country is under martial law.

What the President Does

The President of Georgia has several important jobs and powers:

• They represent Georgia in other countries. They can talk with other nations and international groups. They sign international agreements. They also welcome ambassadors from other countries.
• They sign a special agreement with the Georgian Orthodox Church.
• They announce when elections for Parliament and local governments will happen.
• They appoint and remove the leader of Georgia's military. They also choose one member for the High Council of Justice. They help choose the leaders of the Central Election Commission.
• They make decisions about who can become a citizen of Georgia.
• They can pardon people who have been found guilty of crimes.
• They give out state awards, military ranks, and special titles.
• If a local government's actions threaten the country's safety or independence, the president can stop or dissolve that government. This happens with the government's suggestion and Parliament's approval.
• The president can ask for a public vote, called a referendum. This can happen if Parliament, the Government, or at least 200,000 voters ask for it. A referendum cannot be used to pass or cancel laws, give pardons, or change international agreements.

The President of Georgia also speaks to the people of Georgia. Each year, the president gives a report to Parliament about important issues facing the country.

Taking the Oath

Before starting their job, the new President of Georgia takes an oath. This happens on the third Sunday after the election. The president promises to:

Presidential Protection

The President of Georgia has special protection. No one can arrest or start criminal charges against the president while they are in office. The Special State Protection Service makes sure the president is safe.

The Presidential Standard

The presidential standard is like a special flag for the president. It looks like the national flag of Georgia. In the middle, it has the Georgian coat of arms. Copies of this standard are used in the president's office and other government buildings. It is also used as a flag on cars carrying the president within Georgia.

A Look at Presidential History

Orbeliani Palace is the official home of the Georgian President.

Georgia officially became independent from the Soviet Union on April 9, 1991. Soon after, on April 14, the Supreme Council decided to create the job of executive president. They chose Zviad Gamsakhurdia for the role until a direct election could be held. In the election on May 26, 1991, Gamsakhurdia won by a lot. He became Georgia's first president.

However, Gamsakhurdia was removed from power by a military coup on January 6, 1992. He still called himself president while living outside the country until he died on December 31, 1993, during an attempt to get his power back.

After the coup, there was no clear leader. So, on March 10, 1992, Eduard Shevardnadze became the new head of state. When a new constitution was approved on August 24, 1995, the job of president was brought back. Shevardnadze was elected president on November 5, 1995, and again on April 9, 2000. He resigned on November 23, 2003, because of large protests known as the Rose Revolution.

After Shevardnadze, Nino Burjanadze briefly served as an acting president. Then, Mikheil Saakashvili was elected on January 4, 2004. He resigned early to help calm tensions after protests in 2007. He was re-elected on January 5, 2008. Over time, between 2013 and 2018, the president's powers were reduced. More power was given to the prime minister and the government. After Giorgi Margvelashvili became president in October 2013, Georgia finished changing into a parliamentary republic. In November 2018, Salome Zourabichvili became Georgia's first female president. She was also the last president to be chosen by a direct vote from the people, according to the new constitution.

The 2024 Presidential Disagreement

This section is transcluded from 2024 Georgian constitutional crisis

On February 13, 2025, the European Parliament passed a resolution. This resolution stated that the European Union does not recognize Mikheil Kavelashvili as the official president of Georgia.

What Happens if the President Can't Serve?

If the president resigns, dies, or is removed from office, the chairperson of Parliament takes over temporarily. They serve as acting president until a new president is elected. This happened in Georgia in 2003 and 2007. In both cases, the president resigned early. The then-chairperson, Nino Burjanadze, became acting president. She was the first woman to hold this role. However, Salome Zourabichvili was the first woman to be officially elected as president by the people.

The President's Office

Administration of the President of Georgia

Georgian: საქართველოს პრეზიდენტის ადმინისტრაცია
Logo of the Administration featuring Orbeliani Palace
Agency overview
Formed	February 14, 2004; 21 years ago (2004-02-14)
Headquarters	Orbeliani Palace, Tbilisi
Agency executive	Vacant, Chief of the Administration

The Administration of the President of Georgia (Georgian: საქართველოს პრეზიდენტის ადმინისტრაცია, romanized: sakartvelos p'rezident'is administ'ratsia) is a group that helps the President of Georgia do their job. They make sure the president can use all the powers given to them by the constitution and other laws. This administration was created on February 14, 2004. It follows the rules of Georgia's constitution and laws. The president decides how this administration is set up and how it works.

Past Presidents of Georgia

For leaders before independence, see List of leaders of Georgia (country).

Presidents

No.	Name (Born–Died)	Picture	Started Office	Left Office	Time in Office	Party	Election
1	Zviad Gamsakhurdia (1939–1993)		April 14, 1991	January 6, 1992 (Removed from power)	267 days	Round Table—Free Georgia	1991
The president's office was empty from January 6, 1992, to November 26, 1995.
2	Eduard Shevardnadze (1928–2014)		November 26, 1995	November 23, 2003 (Forced to resign)	7 years, 362 days	Union of Citizens of Georgia	1995 2000
—	Nino Burjanadze (born 1964) Acting President		November 23, 2003	January 25, 2004	63 days	United National Movement	–
3	Mikheil Saakashvili (born 1967)		January 25, 2004	November 25, 2007 (Resigned)	3 years, 304 days	United National Movement	2004
—	Nino Burjanadze (born 1964) Acting President		November 25, 2007	January 20, 2008	56 days	United National Movement	–
(3)	Mikheil Saakashvili (born 1967)		January 20, 2008	November 17, 2013	5 years, 301 days	United National Movement	2008
4	Giorgi Margvelashvili (born 1969)		November 17, 2013	December 16, 2018	5 years, 29 days	Georgian Dream	2013
5	Salome Zourabichvili (born 1952)		December 16, 2018	December 29, 2024	6 years, 13 days	Independent	2018
				Current President (Disputed)	6 years, 198 days (Disputed)
6	Mikheil Kavelashvili (born 1971)		December 29, 2024	Current President (Disputed)	185 days (Disputed)	People's Power	2024

Chairman of the Supreme Council

No.	Name (Born–Died)	Picture	Started Office	Left Office	Time in Office	Party	Legislature	Election
1	Zviad Gamsakhurdia (1939–1993)		November 14, 1990	April 14, 1991	151 days	Round Table—Free Georgia	Supreme Council	1990

Interim Heads of State (1992–1995)

No.	Name (Born–Died)	Picture	Started Office	Left Office	Time in Office	Party	Title
—	Jaba Ioseliani (1926–2003)		January 6, 1992	March 10, 1992	64 days	Military	Co-chairmen of the Military Council
	Tengiz Kitovani (1938–2023)
—	Eduard Shevardnadze (1928–2014)		March 10, 1992	November 4, 1992	239 days	Independent	Chairman of the State Council
			November 4, 1992	November 6, 1992	2 days		Chairman of the Parliament
			November 6, 1992	November 26, 1995	3 years, 20 days		Head of State

President in Disagreement (1993)

No.	Name (Born–Died)	Picture	Started Office	Left Office	Time in Office	Party
—	Zviad Gamsakhurdia (1939–1993)		September 24, 1993	November 6, 1993	43 days	Round Table—Free Georgia

Timeline of Presidents

See Also

In Spanish: Presidente de Georgia para niños

• Presidential Administration of Georgia