Georgian lawmakers elect far-right, anti-west hardliner as new president

Constitutional crisis deepens as opposition says election of former footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili is illegitimate'

Georgian lawmakers have elected Mikheil Kavelashvili, a pro-Russia, hardline critic of the west, as the country's new president.

Kavelashvili, a former professional football player, has strong anti-western views. In public speeches this year, he has repeatedly alleged that western intelligence agencies are seeking to drive Georgia into war with Russia.