Mikheil Kavelashvili took the oath of allegiance to the people of Georgia in the parliament building and officially assumed the office of president, becoming the sixth head of state, Sputnik Georgia reports .
Kavelashvili, 53, has a rich sports career. He dedicated 18 years to football, ending his professional career at the Swiss club Basel. In addition, he received a UEFA license to work as a coach and acted as a football expert.
“I, the President of Georgia, swear before God and the people that I will defend the Constitution of Georgia, the independence, integrity and indivisibility of the country, conscientiously fulfill the duties of the President, take care of the security and well-being of the citizens of my country, the revival and power of my people and Fatherland,” Kavelashvili said.
Mikheil Kavelashvili has taken over as president of Georgia, replacing the country's first female president, Salome Zurabishvili. The inauguration took place amid protests outside the parliament building. The protesters do not recognize the legitimacy of the new president and demand early parliamentary elections.
Salome Zurabishvili, who advocated repeat parliamentary elections, has decided to leave the presidential residence, the Orbeliani Palace. In her statement, she stressed that she was “taking legitimacy with her.”
Salome Zurabishvili said that the ultimatum she presented to the ruling Georgian Dream party and its founder, honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili, demanding that a date be set for new parliamentary elections, has expired.
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Cover: Photo from Sputnik Georgia