Georgia swore in a far-right governing occasion loyalist as president Sunday, intensifying a political disaster as his pro-EU predecessor proclaimed herself the “only legitimate president.”
The inauguration of former footballer Mikhail Kavelashvili ratchets up a monthslong political disaster that has seen big pro-European Union demonstrations.
The outgoing head of state Salome Zurabishvili and protesters have declared Kavelashvili “illegitimate,” demanding a rerun of the October normal elections that they are saying the governing Georgian Dream occasion rigged.
“Our history clearly shows that, after countless struggles to defend our homeland and traditions, peace has always been one of the main goals and values for the Georgian people,” Kavelashvili mentioned after taking the presidential oath in parliament.
Georgian Dream has offered itself as the only guarantor of stability within the nation, accusing the West of making an attempt to pull Tbilisi into the Ukraine battle.
Kavelashvili, recognized for his far-right views and derogatory feedback towards sexual minorities, went on to reward “our traditions, values, national identity, the sanctity of the family, and faith.”
Moments earlier and some minutes stroll away on the presidential palace, Zurabishvili mentioned that whereas she would vacate the premises, her battle towards the Georgian Dream would proceed.
“I remain the only legitimate president,” she informed a crowd.
“I will leave the presidential palace and stand with you, carrying with me the legitimacy, the flag and your trust.”
In a symbolic gesture, Zurabishvili wore the identical wite-and-black apparel – the colours of the Georgian flag – she was wearing throughout her inauguration six years in the past.
‘We belief her’
She reiterated that redoing the “illegitimate” election could be the “formula to resolve such a crisis.”
Following her handle exterior the presidential palace, hundreds of protesters moved towards parliament, with some holding up crimson playing cards in a transparent nod to Kavelashvili’s soccer profession.
They dispersed shortly afterward, vowing one other protest later within the night.
Giorgi Mamatelashvili, a 34-year-old protester, mentioned he initially anticipated Zurabishvili to remain within the palace, however it could have led to a too “dramatic stand-off.”
But “she still remains our president,” he mentioned.
Zurabishvili has emerged as the preferred politician and a final hope for protesters who accuse the Georgian Dream of steering Tbilisi away from the West and towards Moscow.
“We trust her, we follow her, and for now, she’s our guide,” 42-year-old Shorena Aleksaia, who attended the demonstration, informed AFP.
“I’m sure she wants only the best for Georgia, and we have faith in her.”
‘Too late for backing down’
Georgia has been in political turmoil since October’s disputed parliamentary elections and the federal government’s determination to shelve EU membership talks.
Thousands of Georgians have taken to the streets every day for a month, accusing the more and more repressive authorities of derailing Tbilisi’s EU ambitions.
Many protesters mentioned they supposed to maintain taking to the streets.
“We will keep fighting. We will keep protesting,” mentioned David, a 22-year-old programmer who stood exterior the presidential palace earlier Sunday.
“It’s too late for backing down.”
For the primary time in Georgia’s historical past, the presidential swearing-in ceremony was held behind closed doorways within the parliament’s plenary chamber.
Opposition events have refused to enter parliament after the October elections, and Zurabishvili has declared the newly elected legislature, the federal government and the president-elect “illegitimate.”
Weighing in on the disaster, U.S. Republican congressman Joe Wilson has mentioned that Zurabishvili is invited to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration subsequent month “as the only legitimate leader in Georgia.”
He introduced a invoice “which will prohibit US recognition of the illegal dictatorial regime in Georgia and recognize Zurabishvili as the only legitimate leader in Georgia.”
But Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of Georgian Dream has dominated out calling recent elections.
In the primary 10 days of protests after the contested vote, riot police used tear gasoline and water cannons to disperse demonstrators, a few of whom threw fireworks and stones.
More than 400 folks have been arrested throughout the protests, many saying they’ve been crushed.
The reported police brutality has drawn worldwide condemnation, with Washington and several other European international locations imposing visa bans on Georgian Dream officers.
Source: www.dailysabah.com