Mikheil Kavelashvili took the presidential oath on Sunday in Tbilisi, officially becoming Georgia’s sixth head of state.
The inauguration, held in the parliament building, drew lawmakers, government officials, and dignitaries, according to Public Broadcaster 1TV.
In his speech, Kavelashvili celebrated Georgia’s enduring culture and acknowledged the struggles that have shaped the nation’s history.
His presidency begins at a contentious time, as the government halts EU membership talks, igniting fierce opposition backlash.
Outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili addressed pro-EU demonstrators outside the presidential palace, asserting she remains a leader in spirit.
“Six years ago, I pledged loyalty to this nation,” Zourabichvili declared, promising continued commitment regardless of her official status.
She symbolically left the palace, stating she carried with her “legitimacy, the flag, and the people’s trust.”
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, however, underscored her formal departure, hinting at legal consequences for her defiance.
Kavelashvili’s election on Dec. 14 by a 300-seat electoral college followed Georgia’s 2017 shift from direct presidential elections.
His presidency arrives in the shadow of the contested October parliamentary elections, criticized by opposition leaders as fraudulent.
Georgian Dream, the ruling party, secured 89 of 150 seats but faced allegations of Russian interference and boycotts from opposition parties.
The government’s decision to delay EU accession talks until 2028 sparked nationwide protests, intensifying divisions within the country.
As Kavelashvili steps into leadership, Georgia’s path forward remains fraught with political tensions and uncertain prospects.