TBILISI, Goergia (AP) — Former soccer player Mikheil Kavelashvili was formally inaugurated as president of Georgia on Sunday, cementing the ruling get together’s grip in what the opposition calls a blow to the nation’s EU aspirations and a victory for former imperial ruler Russia.
Outgoing pro-Western Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili mentioned Sunday morning that she would vacate her residence on the Orbeliani Palace in Tbilisi, however insisted she was nonetheless the professional workplace holder.
“I’ll come out of right here, come out to you and be with you. … This presidential residence was a logo so long as there was a president right here who was professional. I carry legitimacy with me,” Zourabichvili instructed a crowd of supporters outdoors the palace.
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She known as Kavelashvili’s inauguration a “parody.”
Kavelashvili, 53, who was the one candidate on the poll, simply gained the vote earlier in December given the Georgian Dream get together’s management of a 300-seat electoral faculty that changed direct presidential elections in 2017. It’s made up of members of Parliament, municipal councils and regional legislatures.
In his speech Sunday, Kavelashvili promised to be “everybody’s president, no matter whether or not they like me or not.” He known as for the nation to unite behind him round “shared values, the ideas of mutual respect, and the longer term we should always construct collectively.”
Georgian Dream retained management of Parliament within the South Caucasus nation in an Oct. 26 election that the opposition alleges was rigged with Moscow’s help. The get together has vowed to proceed pushing towards accession within the European Union but additionally desires to “reset” ties with Russia.
Georgia’s outgoing president and principal pro-Western events have boycotted the post-election parliamentary classes and demanded a rerun of the poll.
