Former soccer player Mikheil Kavelashvili was inaugurated as Georgia’s president Sunday, deepening the country’s political crisis as outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili declared the ceremony illegitimate and opposition protesters demonstrated outside parliament.
Kavelashvili, 53, the sole candidate backed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, secured victory through a 300-member electoral college vote after the party suspended direct presidential elections in 2017. The former Manchester City striker promised in his inaugural address to serve as “everyone’s president” while calling for national unity.
The inauguration follows contested October parliamentary elections that opposition parties claim were rigged with Moscow’s assistance. Georgian Dream’s recent suspension of EU accession talks and passage of controversial laws mirroring Russian restrictions on free speech have sparked widespread protests, with police using tear gas and water cannons against demonstrators.
Zourabichvili, departing her residence at Orbeliani Palace, maintained her legitimacy while denouncing the inauguration as a “parody.” The French-born leader has become increasingly critical of Georgian Dream’s perceived pro-Russia stance, leading to an unsuccessful impeachment attempt.
Critics accuse Georgian Dream, founded by Russian-made billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, of authoritarian tendencies and Moscow alignment. The party’s recent “foreign influence” law, co-authored by Kavelashvili, prompted the EU to pause Georgia’s candidate status and reduce financial support.
