Georgia has officially inaugurated Mikhail Kavelashvili, a loyalist of the ruling Georgian Dream party, as the new president, further deepening a political crisis that has rocked the country in recent months.
Kavelashvili, a former footballer, was sworn in at a closed ceremony in the Georgian parliament, following a dramatic turn of events that saw outgoing president Salome Zurabishvili, a pro-European Union leader, declare herself the “only legitimate president” of the country. The inauguration ceremony marks a new chapter in Georgia’s escalating political turmoil.
The crisis erupted after the October general elections, which protesters and opposition leaders claim were rigged by the Georgian Dream party to secure their dominance. Demonstrations, which have been widespread, have called for a re-run of the elections, arguing that the results were fraudulent and that Kavelashvili’s presidency is illegitimate.
During his inaugural address, Kavelashvili, who has long been aligned with the ruling party, emphasized the importance of peace and national unity. “Our history clearly shows that, after countless struggles to defend our homeland and traditions, peace has always been one of the main goals and values for the Georgian people,” he said.
However, the ceremony has done little to ease tensions in the country. Zurabishvili, who had been a staunch advocate for Georgia’s closer ties with the European Union, continues to reject Kavelashvili’s presidency, calling it a direct challenge to the will of the people. Her defiance, paired with the ongoing protests, has highlighted the stark divisions within Georgian politics as the country grapples with questions of electoral integrity and political legitimacy.
The standoff between Zurabishvili and Kavelashvili, alongside the unrest on the streets, is fueling concerns about the future of Georgia’s relationship with the EU, as well as the stability of the country’s democratic institutions. Demonstrators are not only demanding a re-election but also calling for deeper political reforms to ensure free and fair elections moving forward.
With the situation continuing to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Georgian government will respond to the growing protests and what steps will be taken to resolve the political crisis. The international community is watching closely, as Georgia’s political future hangs in the balance.
