Former soccer star Mikheil Kavelashvili was inaugurated as Georgia’s president on Sunday, a move that critics argue weakens the country's European Union ambitions and strengthens its ties with Russia.
The opposition condemned the inauguration, accusing Kavelashvili's Georgian Dream party of consolidating power, while outgoing pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili labeled the event a “parody.”
Zourabichvili, who served as president since 2018, vacated the presidential residence at the Orbeliani Palace in Tbilisi but maintained that she remained the legitimate officeholder. Speaking to supporters, she emphasized that she would carry “legitimacy” with her despite stepping down.
Kavelashvili, 53, was the only candidate in December’s election, which was determined by an electoral college dominated by Georgian Dream members. In his inaugural speech, he promised to serve as a president for all Georgians, urging unity and cooperation.
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The Georgian Dream party, which won parliamentary elections in October, has faced accusations of growing authoritarianism and closer alignment with Russia. Critics claim the party is suppressing opposition, especially after controversial laws limiting free speech and LGBTQ+ rights were passed.
The party’s decision to pause talks on joining the EU, compounded by protests against the government, has intensified tensions with the opposition.
Zourabichvili, a former diplomat, demanded new elections, accusing the ruling party of manipulating the electoral process.
Kavelashvili, previously a soccer player in the UK and Switzerland, entered politics in 2016. He co-founded the People’s Power movement, which has voiced strong anti-Western rhetoric.
He is also known for his role in drafting a contentious law requiring organizations funded by foreign sources to register as foreign agents, a measure that has been criticized by the EU.
The protests against the government have intensified, with daily demonstrations outside the parliament, resulting in clashes with riot police and numerous arrests.
The EU has frozen financial aid and put Georgia’s accession bid on hold, citing concerns over democratic backsliding.