Mikheil Kavelashvili Sworn In as Georgia's President Amid Political Turmoil

Outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili declares herself the 'only legitimate leader' as protests over election legitimacy and EU aspirations continue.

Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former footballer and candidate of the ruling Georgian Dream party, was inaugurated after a disputed election process criticized for alleged fraud and Russian interference.
Outgoing pro-EU President Salome Zourabichvili vacated the presidential palace but vowed to continue her fight, claiming to remain the 'legitimate president' and calling for new elections.
The Georgian Dream party, accused of authoritarianism and pro-Russian policies, suspended EU membership talks until 2028, sparking mass protests across the country.
Protesters, many carrying EU flags, have demonstrated daily for over a month, facing police crackdowns involving water cannons, tear gas, and hundreds of arrests.
International criticism has grown, with the US and UK imposing sanctions on Georgian Dream officials, including its founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, for undermining democratic processes.