Thousands Protest in Tbilisi as Kavelashvili Takes Office
Thousands of protesters have begun gathering in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, to demonstrate against the inauguration of Mikheil Kavelashvili as the country’s new president. Kavelashvili took his oath in a ceremony held at Georgia’s parliament, following his selection as the sole candidate in a new indirect presidential election system earlier in December.
The outgoing president, Salome Zurabisjvili, has repeatedly stated her intention to remain in office, despite the change in leadership. In a press conference today, she affirmed her status as the "only legitimate president" of Georgia and expressed her willingness to step down from the presidential palace, accompanied by her supporters and the nation’s trust.
President Zurabisjvili continues to contest the legitimacy of the October parliamentary election, in which the ruling party Georgian Dream secured a narrow victory, despite widespread allegations of electoral irregularities. The country’s main opposition parties have boycotted the new parliament, maintaining Zurabisjvili as the country’s legitimate president.
Mikheil Kavelashvili, a 53-year-old former footballer, represents the populist party Georgian Dream, which has an anti-Western stance and aims to strengthen ties with Russia. In contrast, Zurabisjvili, a 72-year-old career diplomat, advocates for closer ties with the West and seeks to integrate Georgia into the European Union (EU).
In December 2023, Georgia was granted candidate status for EU membership. However, the government’s decision to delay opening EU accession negotiations until 2028 has sparked massive protests, particularly among the country’s youth.
Recent laws passed by the government and parliament, including the so-called "agent law," which requires NGOs and media outlets receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad to register as "foreign agents," have further fueled protests. President Zurabisjvili has accused the government of acting on orders from the Russian government.
As of now, tensions in Tbilisi remain high, with protesters calling for the resignation of the newly inaugurated president. The situation is ongoing and will continue to be monitored.
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