The pro-Western President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, declared that she would leave the presidential residence but remain the legitimate holder of the office after refusing to hand over the keys to her successor due to controversial general elections.
Her statement came shortly before Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former footballer and far-right politician supported by the ruling pro-Russian and increasingly authoritarian Georgian Dream (GD) party, was sworn in at a presidential ceremony in parliament.
At least 2.000 pro-European Union (EU) protesters gathered in Tbilisi outside the contentious presidential inauguration.
Addressing the demonstrators, Zourabichvili, who has become a symbol of resistance against GD, said: “I remain the only legitimate president. I will leave the presidential residence and stand with you, carrying with me legitimacy, the flag, and your trust.”
The conflict between Zourabichvili and GD has plunged the country into a political crisis following disputed elections in October, which GD declared a victory but many Georgians believe were rigged with Russian assistance.
