Mikheil Kavelashvili sworn in as president amid claims of election illegitimacy

Georgia has recently experienced significant political upheaval following the election of Mikheil Kavelashvili as president. Kavelashvili, a former professional football player, was officially sworn in on December 29, 2024. His appointment, arising from a parliamentary voting process, was the first instance of a president being chosen by an electoral college rather than through a public vote, raising concerns among many citizens about the legitimacy of the election process. Protesters gathered in the capital, Tbilisi, voicing their opposition to Kavelashvili's inauguration and demanding new elections. Salome Zourabichvili, the outgoing president known for her pro-European Union stance, publicly denounced the election as fraudulent and maintained that she remained the legitimate officeholder. Zourabichvili cited electoral fraud during the October parliamentary elections, alleging that the ruling Georgian Dream party manipulated the voting process. Demonstrators waved red cards at Kavelashvili during his inauguration as a symbolic rejection of his presidency, a reference to his past career in soccer. Protests against Kavelashvili's presidency erupted after the Georgian government recently suspended its EU membership application until 2028. This decision has further polarized the nation's political climate, with many citizens fearing a shift towards closer ties with Russia under Kavelashvili's leadership. Protesters accused the government of betraying Georgia's democratic aspirations, as Zourabichvili condemned the ruling party's actions as deliberately sabotaging the country's European future. International observers and Western nations criticized the October parliamentary elections, with some calling for investigations into alleged misconduct. The political situation in Georgia remains tense as opposition leaders and citizens express fears that the country could become increasingly authoritarian under Kavelashvili's presidency. The ongoing unrest highlights the deep divisions within Georgian society regarding its future direction, particularly in light of its historical ties to both Western and Russian influences.