Georgia inaugurated a far-right governing party loyalist as president on Sunday, heightening a political battle just seconds after his pro-EU predecessor declared herself the “only legitimate president.”
The inauguration of former player Mikhail Kavelashvili intensifies a months-long political crisis marked by enormous pro-European Union demonstrations.
Outgoing President Salome Zurabishvili and demonstrators have proclaimed Kavelashvili “illegitimate,” demanding a rerun of the October general elections, which they accuse the ruling Georgian Dream party of rigging.
“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 pitched itself as the only source of stability in the country, accusing the West of attempting to draw Tbilisi into the Ukraine conflict.
Kavelashvili, notorious for his far-right views and disparaging remarks about LGBTQ people, went on to praise “our traditions, values, national identity, the sanctity of the family, and faith.”
Moments earlier, just a few minutes walk away at the presidential palace, Zurabishvili said that while she would quit the premises, her fight against Georgian Dream will 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.”
Zurabishvili dressed in the identical white-and-black attire—the colours of the Georgian flag—that she had worn during her inauguration six years earlier as a symbolic gesture.
