Georgia yesterday inaugurated a far-right governing party loyalist as president, escalating a political showdown moments after his pro-EU predecessor declared herself the “only legitimate president.”
The inauguration of former soccer player Mikhail Kavelashvili ratchets up a months-long political crisis that has involved huge pro-EU demonstrations.
Outgoing president Salome Zurabishvili and protesters have declared Kavelashvili “illegitimate,” demanding a re-run of the October general elections that they say the governing Georgian Dream party rigged.
Photo: EPA-EFE
“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 after taking the presidential oath in parliament.
Georgian Dream has presented itself as the sole guarantor of stability in the country, accusing the West of trying to drag Tbilisi into the Ukraine conflict.
Kavelashvili, known for his far-right views and derogatory comments against LGBTQ people, went on to praise “our traditions, values, national identity, the sanctity of the family and faith.”
Photo: AFP
Moments earlier and a few minutes’ walk away at the presidential palace, Zurabishvili said that while she would vacate the premises, her fight against Georgian Dream would continue.
“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 red-and-white attire — the colors of the Georgian flag — she was dressed in during her inauguration six years earlier.
Photo: EPA-EFE
She reiterated that redoing the “illegitimate” election would be the “formula to resolve such a crisis.”
Following her address, thousands of protesters moved toward the parliament, with some holding up red cards in a clear nod to Kavelashvili’s soccer 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 standoff.”
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