Georgia witnessed significant political upheaval during the recent inauguration of Micheil Kawelaschwili as its new president, amid claims of election fraud and widespread protests against his appointment.
Kawelaschwili, who previously served as a member of parliament and is noted for his ties to the pro-Russian political party Georgian Dream, took the presidential oath on December 29, 2024, affirming his commitment to serve the interests of Georgia.
The presidential ceremony, held in Tbilisi, marked the first time Georgia's president was elected not directly by the people but by a parliamentary assembly comprised of legislators and local representatives. This controversial method was made possible by constitutional amendments implemented by Georgian Dream back in 2017.
Salome Surabischwili, the former pro-European president, continues to claim legitimacy as the nation’s rightful leader. Despite vacATING the presidential palace on the day of the inauguration, she declared, "I will leave the presidential palace, but I will carry my legitimacy with me." Surabischwili maintains her stance against recognizing Kawelaschwili's presidency, rallying support for protests against the government.
Multiple protests erupted on the day of his inauguration, as thousands gathered outside the presidential palace and parliament building, waving EU flags and chanting against the new president. Reportedly, around 2,000 protesters expressed their dissent, with some claiming the election was manipulated and accusing the government of steering the country closer to Russia.
Leading up to the inauguration, the political environment had become increasingly tense following Georgian Dream's sweeping victory in the parliamentary elections on October 26, where they claimed 54 percent of the votes. Opposition parties, including Surabischwili’s faction, have vehemently rejected these results, alleging widespread election fraud.
Public sentiment appears divided, with significant portions of the population condemning Kawelaschwili's ascent to power as illegitimate. The former president's supporters vow to continue fighting for what they perceive as true democratic representation. Surabischwili has been vocal about the dangers of moving away from European integration, particularly following the government's announcement to suspend EU accession talks until 2028.
Opposition leaders accuse Kawelaschwili of being nothing more than a puppet for billionaire Bidsina Ivanishvili, the influential founder of the Georgian Dream party who has previously been accused of controlling government actions behind the scenes. "This parody happening now in parliament is truly derisive, something this country does not deserve," Surabischwili stated, criticizing the legitimacy of the entire electoral process.
The protests against Kawelaschwili's inauguration continued to escalate, with activists calling for the government to resume EU accession negotiations and revisit the parliamentary election results. Protesters argue for the restoration of Georgia's commitment to establishing closer ties with Europe rather than aligning with Russia.
Reports indicate police intervened during protests on inauguration day, detaining several demonstrators amid clashes outside the parliament. The conflict between pro-European advocates and the ruling party is intensifying, raising concerns about Georgia's democratic future under Kawelaschwili’s presidency and the role of Russian influence within the region.
This political upheaval marks another chapter of the struggle between Western aspirations and Russian influence in the South Caucasus, as many citizens remain disillusioned by the perceived regression of democratic processes within Georgia.
Former football player Kawelaschwili’s election, advertised as the fresh leadership Georgia needs, is fraught with skepticism from his opponents. Many see the new president's pro-Russian posture as detrimental to Georgia’s foreign relations, particularly as the country has long aspired to join the EU and NATO.
Moving forward, the situation remains precarious, with the possibility of continued civil unrest as opposition leaders and protestors rally against the new administration. Georgian citizens are left grappling with the uncertainty of their political representation and the nation’s future on the geopolitical stage.