Georgia has inaugurated a new conservative president, Mikheil Kavelashvili, who marks a significant shift away from Western influence and towards Russia and China. The country’s pro-Western trajectory, once hailed as a trailblazer among post-Soviet states, is now seen as moving closer to these emerging powers.
Kavelashvili, 53, was sworn in on Sunday amidst an election crisis triggered by allegations of fraud in the parliamentary elections that led to his party’s victory. The opposition and some European officials claim the vote was rigged, fueling tensions between Georgia and its former Western backers.
The US has further intensified the standoff by imposing sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, a key figure in Kavelashvili’s ruling party. The country’s prime minister announced suspension of EU talks until 2028, which led to daily protests that sometimes turned violent.
Former president Salome Zourabichvili described Kavelashvili’s inauguration as “a parody” and criticized the governing party, calling it “scared, illegitimate, sold out, sanctioned, and angry.” She is set to leave office voluntarily, taking away her legitimacy and trust from the people.
Kavelashvili’s election marks a watershed moment in Georgia’s shift towards Russia and China, with many seeing him as a key figure in this process. As president, he will occupy a symbolic role, representing the country internationally while assuming outsize ceremonial duties.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/29/world/europe/georgia-president-mikheil-kavelashvili.html