M.G.
29. 12. 2024, 11.00
Updated: 12/29/2024, 11:17 a.m
Today in Tbilisi, Mikhail Kavelashvili was sworn in as the new president of Georgia. He is a pro-government and anti-EU politician who takes his position at a time of deep political crisis after the government froze EU accession negotiations until 2028, sparking widespread discontent and anger among citizens.
A little over 2,000 protesters gathered today before the inauguration of the new president of Georgia Kavelashvili collected in Tbilisi. But actually not because of him, but because they hear the words of the outgoing President, Salome Zurabishviliwho addressed the crowds this morning. Outgoing pro-European president Zurabishvili, who enjoys the support of opposition parties, said in her farewell speech to supporters and protesters in front of the presidential palace that although she is leaving the residence, she remains the only legitimate leader of the country and that she will continue her fight against the regime.
She explained that Kavelashvili was not legitimately elected because the MPs who voted for him were elected in parliamentary elections in October, in which she claims the vote was rigged, something international observers have also warned about.
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Ex-president Salome Zourabišvili addressed enthusiastic supporters and protesters as she left the presidential palace.
Today, Kavelashvili took the oath in parliament in a closed-door ceremony on the Bible and the constitution and promised to serve the interests of Georgia, reports the German news agency dpa. “Our history clearly shows that after countless struggles to defend our homeland and tradition, peace has always been one of the main goals and values of the Georgian people,Kavelashvili said during his speech after the oath.
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Known for his far-right views and derogatory comments about LGBTQ people, he went on to praise “our tradition, values, national identity, sanctity of family and religion“, reports the French news agency AFP.
The protests have been going on for weeks
Ahead of the controversial inauguration, thousands of Georgians protested in Tbilisi since Saturday evening, demanding the release of imprisoned protesters and denouncing the government as illegitimate. According to local media, a crowd of people passed through the capital, and then protesters gathered in front of the parliament building. The rally was peaceful at first, but protests were also recorded in other cities. Zurabishvili called on her supporters to gather in front of the presidential palace on Sunday, which they did. “I am waiting for you in front of the Orbeliani Palace,” she said to the NewsGeorgia agency and told her followers that she will decide how to proceed in the next few days.
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On Saturday, Zurabišviliva also joined the human chain, which was concluded in support of membership in the European Union.
In Georgia, thousands of people have been protesting daily for weeks, demanding the return of pro-European politics to the country and a repeat of parliamentary elections in October, in which the nationalist ruling Georgian Dream party was declared the winner. Protesters fear the party is too close to Russia and will push the country further under Moscow’s influence, decades after it gained independence from the Soviet Union.
Source: svet24.si
