Mikheil Kavelashvili has been sworn in as the new president of Georgia, amid widespread dissatisfaction among Georgian citizens. Residents took to the streets in protest against the leadership of the pro-Russian politician from the Georgian Dream party. Former President Salome Zourabichvili announced she would join the demonstrators after leaving her official residence.

Kavelashvili was inaugurated on Sunday in a ceremony attended by members of the ruling Georgian Dream party, government officials, and the electoral college. The event, which lasted less than an hour, took place under heavy security. Notably, for the first time, no foreign diplomats participated in a Georgian presidential inauguration.

Zourabichvili, who has been a vocal critic of the government, declared her support for the ongoing anti-government protests that have spanned over a month.

Kavelashvili, a former football player and member of the Georgian Dream party, was the sole candidate for the presidency, nominated by the honorary chairman of the party, oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili. He was elected by the electoral college on December 14, a body composed entirely of Georgian Dream representatives. For the first time in modern Georgian history, the president was not elected by popular vote.

In his inaugural speech, Kavelashvili addressed security challenges and political polarization within the country, which he attributed to „external influences.” He also emphasized the importance of European integration, provided Georgia’s culture and sovereignty are preserved. However, his speech made no mention of Russia, raising eyebrows in local media.

Opposition leaders and parties, including the United National Movement, Strong Georgia, Coalition for Change, and For Georgia, issued a joint statement urging the international community not to recognize the legitimacy of Kavelashvili’s presidency, the Georgian parliament, or the government. The opposition referred to Georgian Dream as a „self-imposed regime usurping the will of the people.”

Protesters vowed to continue their demonstrations despite Zourabichvili stepping down. „Today is the 32nd day of protests; tomorrow will be the 33rd. Nothing changes; we will keep coming,” said one protester holding a Georgian flag.