Georgia’s pro-west president says she remains ‘only legitimate president’ as new leader sworn in
GuardianDEC 23 2024
Republic of Georgia: Mikheil Kavelashvili Sworn in as President
Above: Mikheil Kavelashvili was sworn in as Georgia's sixth president at a ceremony in Tbilisi on Dec. 29, 2024. Image copyright: Georgian Parliament/Handout/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
As thousands of citizens protested in the capital Tbilisi, Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former footballer, was sworn in as Georgia's new president during a closed-door ceremony in parliament on Sunday.
Outgoing Pres. Salome Zourabichvili refused to step aside, declaring she remains the country's legitimate leader until fresh elections are held.
The political crisis stems from October's parliamentary elections, where the ruling Georgian Dream party won 54% of the vote. However, opposition parties reported significant violations that could have affected the results.
The Spin
Narrative B
Georgia is heading in the wrong direction. The government is an increasingly authoritarian regime steering the country away from its EU aspirations and toward Russia. The installation of Kavelashvili as president represents the final consolidation of power under the Georgian Dream's control.
Metaculus Prediction
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