Georgia’s new president, Mikheil Kavelashvili, a far-right figure and former footballer, was inaugurated on Sunday, solidifying the pro-Russian stance of the ruling Georgian Dream party. The controversial election, boycotted by the opposition and marred by accusations of fraud, has sparked nationwide protests and heightened political tensions in the South Caucasus nation.
A Polarizing Presidency
Kavelashvili’s inauguration in the Georgian Parliament comes as opposition leaders and pro-European citizens decry the election as illegitimate. Addressing the parliament, Kavelashvili underscored his nationalist agenda, praising Georgia’s “traditions, values, and the sanctity of the family.” He described peace as a cornerstone of Georgian identity, aligning his rhetoric with the Georgian Dream party’s pro-Russian and anti-EU platform.
His predecessor, Salome Zourabichvili, who has been vocal in her pro-European stance, refused to recognize Kavelashvili’s presidency.
“This building was a symbol only as long as a legitimate president was sitting here,” Zourabichvili said, vowing to continue her duties despite being threatened with jail by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
A Contested Election
The presidential election was conducted via an electoral college controlled by Georgian Dream, with Kavelashvili as the sole candidate. Opposition parties boycotted the process, alleging it was rigged from the start. The absence of competition and lack of transparency have drawn sharp criticism from international observers and watchdog groups, who see the move as another step toward authoritarianism in Georgia.
Protests and EU Membership Talks Suspended
Protests erupted following the October election and intensified after the Georgian government announced it would halt negotiations for EU membership, a move that has alienated pro-European citizens and deepened divisions within the country.
On Saturday, Zourabichvili joined thousands of demonstrators across Georgia in forming human chains to protest Kavelashvili’s installation and the government’s pivot away from the European Union.
“This election is not valid, so I remain president and I continue to do my job,” she said defiantly in a podcast on Friday.
Georgia’s Shifting Political Landscape
The inauguration signals a deeper alignment with Moscow as Georgia drifts further from the EU and NATO aspirations championed by the opposition and much of its population. Critics warn that the Georgian Dream party is consolidating power at the expense of democratic institutions, raising concerns about the country’s future stability and its geopolitical orientation.
Regional and Global Implications
Georgia’s pro-Russia turn comes amid heightened regional instability, as the South Caucasus remains a focal point of geopolitical competition between Russia and Western powers. The decision to suspend EU membership talks has drawn condemnation from European leaders and cast doubt on Georgia’s long-term trajectory.
Kavelashvili’s presidency, defined by its nationalist tone and alignment with Moscow, marks a stark departure from the pro-European aspirations of recent years, leaving Georgia at a crossroads between East and West.