Protests have today engulfed Georgia as a former Premier League footballer-turned-far-right party loyalist was sworn in as president despite his predecessor insisting she is the country’s legitimate leader.
Outside the closed-door inauguration of former Manchester City striker Mikhail Kavelashvili at the country’s parliament building in Tbilisi, countless protesters blew whistles and held up red cards, in reference to his career as a former sportsman.
His ascension to high office is the culmination of a months-long political crisis that has sent the former Soviet nation spiralling, with images in recent months showing a brutal crackdown on protesters at the hands of security forces.
Kavelashvili, who was nominated to the role by the Georgian Dream (GD) party in November, is known for his far-right views, derogatory comments against LGBTQ people, and his defence of Kremlin-style laws curbing civil liberties.
In his inauguration speech, he praised ‘[Georgia’s] traditions, values, national identity, the sanctity of the family, and faith’.
‘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 added.
Georgian Dream has presented itself as the sole guarantor of stability in the country, claiming the West of trying to drag Tbilisi into the Ukraine conflict.
Outside observers accused the party of dragging Georgia back into Russia‘s sphere of influence, and of harming legitimate protesters who were furious at the decision by the government, led by GD prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze, to suspend the country’s application to join the EU.
Outgoing head of state Salome Zurabishvili and supportive protesters declared Kavelashvili ‘illegitimate’, demanding a re-run of the October general elections that they say the governing Georgian Dream party rigged.
Georgia’s new president Mikheil Kavelashvili (pictured) looks on during his swearing-in ceremony at the parliament in Tbilisi, Georgia December 29, 2024
Supporters of the Georgian opposition take part in a protest near the Georgian Parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, 29 December 2024
Georgia’s outgoing pro-EU President Salome Zurabishvili arrives to attend a meeting ahead of Georgian President-elect Mikheil Kavelashvili’s inauguration in Tbilisi on December, 29, 2024
‘I remain the only legitimate president,’ she told a crowd.
‘I will leave the presidential palace and stand with you, carrying with me the legitimacy, the flag and your trust.’
In a symbolic gesture, Zurabishvili wore the same white-and-red attire – the colours of Georgian flag – she was dressed in during her inauguration six years ago.
She reiterated that redoing the ‘illegitimate’ election would be the ‘formula to resolve such a crisis’.
Following her address outside the presidential palace, thousands of protesters moved toward parliament, with some holding up red cards in a clear nod to Kavelashvili’s football career.
They dispersed shortly afterward, vowing another protest later in the evening.
Giorgi Mamatelashvili, a 34-year-old protester, said he initially expected Zurabishvili to stay in the palace, but it would have led to a too ‘dramatic stand off.’
But ‘she still remains our president’, he said.
People gather outside the fence of the Orbeliani presidential palace during the address of outgoing Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili
Mikheil Kavelashvili, elected by lawmakers as Georgia’s new President, takes the oath during his swearing-in ceremony at the parliament in Tbilisi, on December 29, 2024
Outgoing Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili leaves the Orbeliani Palace, the official residence of the President of Georgia, in Tbilisi, Georgia, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024
Mikheil Kavelashvili, elected by lawmakers as Georgia’s new President, walks to take the oath during his swearing-in ceremony at the parliament in Tbilisi, on December 29, 2024
Zurabishvili has emerged as the most popular politician and a last hope for protesters who accuse Georgian Dream of steering Tbilisi away from the West and toward Moscow.
‘We trust her, we follow her, and for now, she’s our guide,’ 42-year-old Shorena Aleksaia, who attended the demonstration, told AFP.
‘I’m sure she wants only the best for Georgia, and we have faith in her.’
Georgia has been in political turmoil since October’s disputed parliamentary elections and the government’s decision to shelve EU membership talks.
Thousands of Georgians have taken to the streets daily for a month, accusing the increasingly repressive government of derailing Tbilisi’s EU ambitions.
Many protesters said they intended to keep taking to the streets.
‘We will keep fighting. We will keep protesting,’ said David, a 22-year-old programmer who stood outside the presidential palace earlier Sunday.
‘It’s too late for backing down.’
Georgia has been in political turmoil since October’s disputed parliamentary elections and the government’s decision to shelve EU membership talks
People attend a rally ahead of Georgian President-elect Mikheil Kavelashvili’s inauguration in Tbilisi on December, 29, 2024
Countless protesters blew whistles and held up red cards in reference to his career as a former sportsman
Opposition parties have refused to enter parliament since the October elections, and Zurabishvili has declared the newly elected legislature, the government and president-elect ‘illegitimate’.
But Kobakhidze has ruled out calling fresh elections.
In the first 10 days of protests after the contested vote, riot police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators, some of whom threw fireworks and stones.
More than 400 people have been arrested during the protests, many saying they have been beaten.