Georgia’s new president was sworn in on Sunday morning, but the opposition continues to contest the results of the last elections.
“I remain the only legitimate president of Georgia”declared Salomé Zourabichvili on Sunday morning in front of the presidential palace, as Mikhail Kavelashvili took the oath of office during a short ceremony in Parliament.
“I will leave the presidential palace to stand by your side, carrying with me the legitimacy, the flag and your trust”she added.
Former footballer Mikhail Kavelashvili, ultraconservative and pro-Russian, was named president after disputed parliamentary elections which saw the ruling Georgian Dream party win.
Since then, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that Georgia was postponing negotiations to join the European Union until 2028, which provoked a wave of protests in the country.