Georgia: Mikheil Kavelashvili Officially Inaugurated as President

The inauguration of the new head of state, Mikheil Kavelashvili, was in the parliament building in Tbilisi on December 29, Orda.kz reports, citing News Georgia.

Georgia's sixth President has"officially" taken office amid nationwide protests.

On December 14, the electoral college elected Kavelashvili, the only presidential candidate from the ruling Georgian Dream party. 

The President before him, Salome Zourabichvili, has demonstratively left the presidential palace. She has previously stated she would not step down.

I am leaving here and taking legitimacy with me... I will come out of here to you and be with you, Zourabichvili addressed those gathered in support.

After the ex-president's speech, the protesters made their way toward Rustaveli Avenue.

Zourabichvili and all major opposition parties in Georgia consider the election of Mikheil Kavelashvili illegitimate.

The protests began in late November.

The first spark was the announcement by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to suspend negotiations on the country's European Union membership until 2028.

Original Author: Rimma Karatayeva