May 5, 2025 3:50 am
Full News

Outgoing Georgian President Defies Departure as Successor Assumes Office

In Tbilisi, thousands of Georgians took to the streets in protest as Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former professional footballer and ally of the ruling Georgian Dream party, was inaugurated as the nation’s new president.

Kavelashvili’s swearing-in comes at a politically fraught time, as the government recently suspended its bid for European Union membership. While Georgian Dream secured victory in the October parliamentary elections, allegations of election fraud have ignited ongoing street demonstrations.

Outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili has refused to step down, asserting her status as the “only legitimate president.” Addressing protesters outside the presidential palace, she stated she would vacate the building but denounced Kavelashvili’s presidency as illegitimate.

“This building held significance only while a legitimate president occupied it,” Zourabichvili declared.

Meanwhile, Kavelashvili took his oath of office in a closed-door ceremony held in parliament, attended by his family and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. During his inaugural address, Kavelashvili emphasized Georgia’s heritage, traditions, and commitment to peace.

“Our history demonstrates that, despite countless struggles to defend our homeland and values, peace has always been a cornerstone for the Georgian people,” he stated.

Opposition Rejects New President

Four major opposition parties boycotted the inauguration and rejected Kavelashvili’s presidency. As a former MP with the Georgian Dream party, Kavelashvili ran unopposed for the role, which critics, including Zourabichvili, have called a farce.

In recent years, Georgian Dream has been accused of growing authoritarian tendencies, including passing laws targeting foreign-funded media and NGOs, as well as the LGBTQ+ community. The party’s reluctance to join Western sanctions on Russia and its criticism of the West as the “global war party” have cast doubts on its commitment to EU and NATO integration.

While the majority of Georgians support EU membership—a goal enshrined in the country’s constitution—the ruling party announced in November that accession talks would not be pursued until 2028. This decision spurred mass protests, with demonstrators clashing with riot police who used tear gas and water cannons.

Renewed Protests and International Pressure

On the eve of Kavelashvili’s inauguration, thousands of protesters gathered in Tbilisi, waving Georgian and EU flags and forming a human chain that stretched for kilometers.

“I am here with my family, trying to pull this small country out of the grip of the Russian empire,” one protester told the Associated Press.

The United States recently imposed sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, a billionaire and former prime minister who founded the Georgian Dream party.

A Divided Nation

Georgia operates as a parliamentary democracy, where the president serves as head of state and the prime minister leads parliament. Zourabichvili, who was backed by Georgian Dream when she assumed office in 2018, has since turned against the party, condemning their recent election victory as a “Russian special operation” and supporting nightly pro-EU protests.

As the political turmoil continues, Georgia’s future on its European path remains uncertain, with tensions between pro-EU citizens and a government increasingly leaning toward Russian influence.

Related News
Trump appoints Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to head the new ‘Department of Government Efficiency’
Bangladeshi Legendary Actress Suborna Mustafa Harassed at Airport
Trump to Declare English as the Official Language of the U.S.
Shrek 5 Release Delayed to December 2026
Ukraine Crisis Could Have Been Avoided If Trump Was President: Putin
UN Calls on Israel to Allow Aid into Gaza Amid Truce Impasse
Related Posts
European Legal Body Condemns Abuse of Senior Lawyers in Bangladesh
Iran Warns of Retaliatory Strikes if Attacked by US or Israel
Chinese President Xi Jinping to Visit Russia for Nazi Defeat Commemoration
India Halts River Water Flow to Pakistan
International Observatory Condemns Judicial Harassment and Political Discrimination Against Lawyers in Bangladesh
World’s Oldest Doctor Dies at the Age of 129
More News

UK Lawyer Files Formal Complaint to Ofcom Over BBC’s “Biased” Report on Bangladesh

London, 19 April 2025 — A senior UK-based solicitor has lodged a formal complaint with Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, accusing the BBC of broadcasting a “biased and unsubstantiated” report on Bangladesh that he claims undermines journalistic standards and misleads the public. The complaint, submitted by Sayed Abedin, Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England […]

European Security ‘Impossible’ Without Turkey: President Erdoğan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has stated that European security is “impossible” without Turkey. He also emphasized the need to strengthen relations between Turkey and European nations. According to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency, Erdoğan made these remarks on Monday following a cabinet meeting in Ankara. He noted that recent debates have demonstrated Europe’s reliance on […]

Taliban’s Sports Ban: Afghan Women’s Cricket Team in Exile Plays Historic Match

In a landmark event for Afghan women’s cricket, an Afghanistan Women’s XI played their first competitive match in Australia, marking a significant moment for the sport and for women’s rights in Afghanistan. This 20-over exhibition game took place at the Junction Oval in Melbourne, showcasing not just cricket but also a stand for gender equality. […]

Israel’s Mossad Chief Heads to Qatar for High-Stakes Hostage Release Talks Amidst Ceasefire Negotiations

In a significant development in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Israel has announced that David Barnea, the head of its Mossad intelligence agency, will lead a delegation to Doha, Qatar, to negotiate a potential ceasefire and hostage release agreement. This move signals a possible advancement in the complex and delicate negotiations aimed at securing the release […]

Modi Praises Trump’s Preparedness for Second Term, Discusses India’s Diplomatic Relations

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commended U.S. President Donald Trump for being “far more prepared” in his second term, highlighting a clear road map for his administration. Speaking on a podcast with Lex Fridman, released on March 16, Modi emphasized Trump’s well-defined goals and praised his “America First” spirit, drawing parallels to his own […]

Iran never planned to assassinate Trump: Pezeshkian

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian says his country never planned to assassinate US President-elect and Republican leader Donald Trump. In an interview with NBC News on Tuesday, he rejected the allegations made by Trump and the US government. In November last year, the US Justice Department charged an Iranian citizen with attempted assassination of Trump. According […]

What Will Happen in the Middle East if Russia and the US End Hostility?

When the hostility between Russia and the United States ceases, the Middle East might face a new reality. Some experts describe this shift as the end of the post-war world order, while others see it as a major realignment. The key question is: What could happen if the US no longer views Russia as an […]

Bangladesh Garment Workers Clash With Police and soldiers, Two Wounded

Thousands of workers marched in the capital Dhaka’s Mirpur area to protest job losses and the abrupt closure of a garment factory. The law enforcing agencies fired several gunshots to disperse them, leaving the two workers shot and several others injured during protests in the Kachukhet area of Mirpur in the capital on Thursday. The […]

Karla Sofía Gascón Returns to Red Carpet After Controversy

Karla Sofía Gascón, the Oscar-nominated star of Emilia Pérez, made her first red carpet appearance since a controversy surrounding her resurfaced tweets at the 2025 César Awards in France. Gascón, who is the first openly trans woman to be nominated for Best Actress, did not speak to the press during her appearance but expressed gratitude […]

Nepal Investigates Violence in Pro-Monarchy Protests

The Nepalese government has launched an investigation into the violence that erupted during protests demanding the reinstatement of the constitutional monarchy. The country’s Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, provided this information on Saturday, March 29, as reported by Reuters. Authorities stated that on Friday, protestors marched toward the Parliament building in […]