Tensions have escalated in Georgia as outgoing president Salome Zourabichvili defies the inauguration of new president Mikheil Kavelashvili, claiming the election was illegitimate amid widespread protests and allegations of fraud.
Georgia's Political Turmoil: Outgoing President Defies New Leadership
Georgia's Political Turmoil: Outgoing President Defies New Leadership
Outgoing president Salome Zourabichvili has sparked a political crisis in Georgia by refusing to recognize new president Mikheil Kavelashvili.
In Tbilisi, Georgia, outgoing president Salome Zourabichvili pledged not to vacate her position even after the inauguration of her successor, Mikheil Kavelashvili, who was sworn in as president on Sunday. Kavelashvili, a former professional football player affiliated with the ruling Georgian Dream party, assumed leadership during a pivotal moment for the nation, which is grappling with its faltering European Union aspirations following the suspension of its application.
Thousands of citizens gathered in protest against Kavelashvili’s inauguration, leading to tensions that highlighted deep political divisions within the country. Zourabichvili called herself the "only legitimate president," declaring she would leave the palace but categorically dismissing her successor's legitimacy.
In a ceremony held mostly behind closed doors, Kavelashvili took the oath of office, pledging to honor Georgian traditions and values. However, his presidency faces stark opposition, as all four main opposition parties boycotted parliament and denounced the election process, which they label a sham.
The political discord comes on the heels of Georgia Dream's controversial electoral victory in October, marked by allegations of fraud that have fueled ongoing protests. These protests ignited in response to the government's decision not to pursue EU integration talks until 2028 and the enactment of laws perceived as authoritarian, echoing Russian influences on media and civil liberties.
In addition, the United States has taken action against Georgia's former prime minister, Bidzina Ivanishvili—a prominent figure in the Georgian Dream party—by imposing sanctions in response to the growing political strife.
As the situation intensifies, pro-EU demonstrators gathered once more ahead of the inauguration, striving to reclaim the political direction of their nation from the perceived encroachments of Russian influence. Among the crowd, one protester declared their determination to extricate Georgia from "the claws of the Russian empire."
Zourabichvili, who was initially endorsed by Georgian Dream upon her election in 2018, has vocally opposed the ruling party's recent actions, labeling their electoral victory a "Russian special operation" and supporting the ongoing nightly protests advocating for EU ties. The unfolding chapter in Georgian politics suggests a protracted and tumultuous struggle over the country's future direction.
Additional reporting from Tbilisi's Nino Shonia.
Thousands of citizens gathered in protest against Kavelashvili’s inauguration, leading to tensions that highlighted deep political divisions within the country. Zourabichvili called herself the "only legitimate president," declaring she would leave the palace but categorically dismissing her successor's legitimacy.
In a ceremony held mostly behind closed doors, Kavelashvili took the oath of office, pledging to honor Georgian traditions and values. However, his presidency faces stark opposition, as all four main opposition parties boycotted parliament and denounced the election process, which they label a sham.
The political discord comes on the heels of Georgia Dream's controversial electoral victory in October, marked by allegations of fraud that have fueled ongoing protests. These protests ignited in response to the government's decision not to pursue EU integration talks until 2028 and the enactment of laws perceived as authoritarian, echoing Russian influences on media and civil liberties.
In addition, the United States has taken action against Georgia's former prime minister, Bidzina Ivanishvili—a prominent figure in the Georgian Dream party—by imposing sanctions in response to the growing political strife.
As the situation intensifies, pro-EU demonstrators gathered once more ahead of the inauguration, striving to reclaim the political direction of their nation from the perceived encroachments of Russian influence. Among the crowd, one protester declared their determination to extricate Georgia from "the claws of the Russian empire."
Zourabichvili, who was initially endorsed by Georgian Dream upon her election in 2018, has vocally opposed the ruling party's recent actions, labeling their electoral victory a "Russian special operation" and supporting the ongoing nightly protests advocating for EU ties. The unfolding chapter in Georgian politics suggests a protracted and tumultuous struggle over the country's future direction.
Additional reporting from Tbilisi's Nino Shonia.
