Georgia's presidential turmoil: Protests shadow Kavelashvili's inauguration
A political storm in Tbilisi. On Sunday, Mikheil Kavelashvili was sworn in as president. This occurred amidst protests. The opposition is demonstrating, and people have gathered in the streets.
Mikheil Kavelashvili assumed office as the president of Georgia during a ceremony attended by members of the ruling party, Georgian Dream. According to the Polish Press Agency, the parliament building was surrounded by security forces.
Meanwhile, outgoing President Salome Zurabishvili joined the protesters, who have been demonstrating against the government for a month. For the first time in history, foreign diplomats did not attend the Georgian presidential inauguration.
Georgia has a new president: Former football player Mikheil Kavelashvili
Kavelashvili, a former football player, was elected by an electoral college on 14th December. His candidacy was supported by oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, which sparked controversy. The opposition did not participate in the voting, and the president was not elected by a public vote.
In his first speech, Kavelashvili spoke about security challenges and European integration, avoiding references to Russia. He emphasised the importance of Georgia's culture and self-determination, as noted by local media.
The opposition, including the United National Movement and Strong Georgia, called on the international community not to recognise the legitimacy of the new president. Georgian Dream has been described as a "self-proclaimed regime."
Kavelashvili, leader of the Power of the Nation movement, promised national unity. He also criticised his predecessor, Salome Zurabishvili, for "ignoring" constitutional rights. Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that if Zurabishvili refuses to leave the presidential residence on Sunday, she could be detained by the police and transferred to a penitentiary facility.
