Mikhail Kavelashvili, a former Manchester City striker and far-right politician, was inaugurated as Georgia's president amidst widespread protests. The move follows a months-long political crisis, accusations of election rigging, and concerns about Georgia's relationship with Russia.
Protests have engulfed Georgia as a former Premier League footballer-turned-far-right party loyalist was sworn in as president despite his predecessor insisting she is the country's legitimate leader. Outside the closed-door inauguration of former Manchester City striker Mikhail Kavelashvili at the country's parliament building in Tbilisi, countless protesters blew whistles and held up red cards, in reference to his career as a former sportsman.
His ascension to high office is the culmination of a months-long political crisis that has sent the former Soviet nation spiralling, with images in recent months showing a brutal crackdown on protesters at the hands of security forces. Kavelashvili, who was nominated to the role by the Georgian Dream (GD) party in November, is known for his far-right views, derogatory comments against LGBTQ people, and his defence of Kremlin-style laws curbing civil liberties. In his inauguration speech, he praised ' traditions, values, national identity, the sanctity of the family, and faith'. 'Our history clearly shows that, after countless struggles to defend our homeland and traditions, peace has always been one of the main goals and values for the Georgian people,' Kavelashvili added. Georgian Dream has presented itself as the sole guarantor of stability in the country, claiming the West of trying to drag Tbilisi into the Ukraine conflict. Outside observers accused the party of dragging Georgia back into Russia's sphere of influence, and of harming legitimate protesters who were furious at the decision by the government, led by GD prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze, to suspend the country's application to join the EU. Outgoing head of state Salome Zurabishvili and supportive protesters declared Kavelashvili 'illegitimate', demanding a re-run of the October general elections that they say the governing Georgian Dream party rigge
Georgia President Protests Far-Right Political Crisis
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