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PoliticsGeorgia

Mikheil Kavelashvili sworn in as Georgia's new president

December 29, 2024

Former Manchester City footballer Kavelashvili is a critic of the United States and the West. Georgia's outgoing pro-EU president has denounced Kavelashvili as illegitimate.

https://p.dw.com/p/4oekO
Mikheil Kavelashvili takes the oath of office
Mikheil Kavelashvili was sworn in during a closed-door ceremony in parliamentImage: Irakli Gedenidze/AP Photo/picture alliance

Georgia on Sunday inaugurated Mikheil Kavelashvili as the new president amid allegations his election was stolen.

Kavelashvili, a hardline critic of the West and former a Manchester City footballer, was sworn in at a parliamentary ceremony.

The 53-year-old took his oath on the Bible and the Georgian constitution and swore to serve the country's interests.

"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," Kavelashvili said during his address after taking the oath of office.

Georgia inaugurates disputed, pro-Russian president

'I remain the only legitimate president' — Zourabichvili

Outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili declared his presidency illegitimate in a speech to supporters outside the presidential palace.

"I remain the only legitimate president," she told thousands of pro-EU demonstrators. "I will leave the presidential palace and stand with you, carrying with me the legitimacy, the flag and your trust."

Georgian president: 'An election that has been stolen'

The former-Soviet state has been embroiled in political turmoil since contested parliamentary elections in October that saw the ruling Georgian Dream party get over 54% of votes.

Outgoing President Salome Zourabichvilli speaks in Tbilisi on December 29
The outgoing President Salome Zourabichvilli has vowed to continue fighting against the ruling partyImage: Zurab Tsertsvadze/AP Photo/picture alliance

There have been Pro-European Union protests, with claims the ruling party is pulling Georgia back towards Russian influence and that the Georgian bid to join the EU has been undermined.

More than 400 people have been arrested during the protests, with many accusing authorities of beating them.

People gather outside the Orbeliani Palace ahead of outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili's address
Pro-EU protesters are concerned that Russia will soon have more influence over Georgia's political affairsImage: Alexander Patrin/TASS/dpa/picture alliance

The US and the UK have sanctioned senior officials in Georgia's government in response to the repression of pro-EU protesters.

kb/wd (Reuters, AFP)

 

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Georgien Mikheil Kavelashvili

Ex-soccer player chosen as Georgia's president

Ex-soccer player chosen as Georgia's president

In Georgia, a former soccer player and supporter of the ruling party has been elected as the new president. The sitting president Salome Zurabishvili has declared the vote illegitimate and has refused to step down.
PoliticsDecember 14, 202402:02 min