GEORGIA'S OUTGOING PRESIDENT REFUSES TO QUIT AS SUCCESSOR SWORN IN

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Georgia's outgoing president, Salome Zourabichvili, has refused to step down despite the inauguration of her successor, Mikheil Kavelashvili. Zourabichvili claims she is the "only legitimate president" and considers Kavelashvili's election illegitimate ¹.

The controversy surrounding Kavelashvili's inauguration stems from allegations of election fraud during the parliamentary elections in October. The opposition has rejected the results, leading to widespread protests in the capital city of Tbilisi.

Kavelashvili, a former professional footballer and member of the ruling Georgian Dream party, was sworn in at a closed-door ceremony in parliament. In his inaugural speech, he emphasized the importance of Georgian traditions, values, and national identity ¹.

Meanwhile, Zourabichvili addressed a crowd of protesters outside the presidential palace, stating that she would leave the building but not relinquish her claim to the presidency. The opposition has boycotted parliament, and the US has imposed sanctions on Georgia's former prime minister and billionaire founder of Georgian Dream, Bidzina Ivanishvili ¹.

The situation in Georgia remains tense, with protesters waving Georgian and EU flags and forming a human chain that spanned kilometers. The country's bid to join the EU has been put on hold until 2028, sparking widespread discontent among Georgians who overwhelmingly support EU accession ¹.

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