Mikhail Kavelashvili was officially inaugurated as the President of Georgia on December 29, 2023, marking the beginning of his presidency amid significant controversy and public dissent. The ceremony, held within the walls of the Parliament building, featured Kavelashvili taking the presidential oath, vowing to uphold the Constitution of Georgia and protect the independence and integrity of the nation.
Kavelashvili's election was seemingly unprecedented—following the new electoral system where the head of state was not chosen by direct public vote but selected by a body of 300 electors. This change, previously initiated by the ruling party, Georgian Dream, has stirred widespread criticism. Zourabichvili, the incumbent president prior to Kavelashvili, claimed her departure from the presidential palace was more than ceremonial; it was symbolic of the legitimacy she felt was being overshadowed.
"I will leave here. I will come to you," Zourabichvili pronounced as she addressed supporters gathered outside the presidential palace, asserting her refusal to recognize the new president. Her statements underlined her belief, shared by most of the opposition, concerning the elections held on December 14, during which Kavelashvili received 224 votes from the electoral college. The former president also insisted she carried the legitimacy of the office with her, emphasizing, "Where there are no people, there is no legitimacy."
The backdrop to this inauguration was fraught with tension. Skepticism toward the electoral integrity festered, as allegations of irregularities and fraud hung over the process. Kavelashvili was the sole candidate advanced by the Georgian Dream party, drawing sharp rebuke from opposition factions. Protests erupted throughout the nation, with demonstrators asserting their demands for new parliamentary elections and decrying the perceived "farce" of Kavelashvili's presidency.
During the inauguration ceremony, Kavelashvili was flanked by members of the parliament and electors; notable absences included foreign diplomats, who were reportedly uninvited due to space limitations. His inaugural address projected commitment, stating, "Georgia’s people have always defended peace, and we will continue this aspiration of the people." Like Zourabichvili, Kavelashvili acknowledged the challenges facing the nation yet vowed to fulfill his duties with integrity.
A pivotal moment came when Zourabichvili stepped outside the presidential residence, where throngs of supporters had gathered. Emblazoned with messages of loyalty, they greeted her as she expressed her discontent with the current political climate: "The parody happening now in Parliament... This is not worthy of such parodies," she highlighted, fueling sentiments against Kavelashvili’s presidency. Her continued presence alongside the protests hinted at her intent to maintain influence within the shifting political landscapes.
The culmination of this political unrest can be traced back to the parliamentary elections held on October 26, 2023, which produced contentious results. The ruling party managed to secure 89 mandates against the opposition’s 61. Despite outcries from the opposition insisting on electoral fraud, referring to the alleged manipulation of over 300,000 votes, the official results remained unconfirmed.
Opposition parties have hinted at physical confrontation to protect Zourabichvili's interests, rejected Kavelashvili's presidency, and reiterated their commitment to strive for new elections. Notably, American Congressman Joe Wilson reaffirmed support for Zourabichvili as the legitimate leader of Georgia, highlighting the international dimension of the political crisis.
Given the charged circumstances of Kavelashvili's inauguration and the deep divisions within Georgia's political fabric, the road ahead is laden with uncertainties. The former president's commitment to contest the electoral results and the abundance of demonstrations signal the hostilities expected to continue as the newly inaugurated president attempts to stabilize his government.