Tbilisi turmoil: Kavelashvili sworn in amid protests
A political storm in Tbilisi: On Sunday, Mikheil Kavelashvili was sworn in as president amid protests. The opposition is demonstrating, and people have gathered in the streets.
Mikheil Kavelashvili assumed the presidency 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.
At the same time, outgoing President Salome Zurabishvili joined the protesters, who have been demonstrating against the government for a month. Notably, for the first time in history, foreign diplomats did not attend the Georgian presidential inauguration.
Georgia has a new president: Former soccer player Mikheil Kavelashvili
Kavelashvili, a former soccer player, was elected by an electoral college on December 14. His candidacy, supported by oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, 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 addressed security challenges and European integration, while avoiding references to Russia. He emphasized the importance of Georgia's culture and self-determination, as noted by local media.
The opposition, including the United National Movement and Strong Georgia, has called on the international community not to recognize the legitimacy of the new president. Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, has been described by critics as a "self-proclaimed regime."
Kavelashvili, leader of the Power of the Nation movement, promised national unity. He also criticized 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.
