He leads the formally splintered right-wing party "Strength of the People," which is known for its pro-Russian rhetoric and "traditional values." In the recent parliamentary elections in October, Kavelashvili was ranked No. 18 on the "Georgian Dream" list.
Its honorary leader, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, referred to the candidate at a briefing as "the best embodiment of a Georgian man by nature," stating that in the role of head of Georgia, he would "fully restore the dignity temporarily taken from the institution of the presidency."
Kavelashvili is currently 53 years old, and there is no information about his education, reports "Echo of the Caucasus". He is a football veteran, having started his sports career at Tbilisi's "Lokomotiv," "Dinamo" (Tbilisi), and "Spartak-Alania" (Vladikavkaz, Russia). He played 46 matches for the Georgian national team, scoring nine goals. He also played for the British club "Manchester City," netting four goals in 28 matches.