Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Tbilisi, Georgia, forming a massive human chain ahead of a highly contentious political showdown as the country braces for a disputed presidential inauguration.
The swearing-in ceremony for former Manchester City footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili, seen as a close ally of the ruling Georgian Dream party, is set to take place on Sunday. However, outgoing president Salome Zourabichvili has refused to step down, labeling Kavelashvili’s election “illegitimate.”
Georgian Dream, which has ruled for 12 years, secured victory in the October parliamentary elections amidst allegations of electoral fraud. This has fueled mass protests and deepened political divides in the country.
The four leading opposition parties have outright rejected Kavelashvili’s presidency and are boycotting parliament, leaving Georgia’s political future in limbo.
On Saturday, demonstrators waving Georgian and EU flags formed a human chain stretching across kilometers in the capital.
“I’m here with my family to save our country from slipping further into Russian influence,” one protester told the Associated Press.
Georgian Dream’s increasingly authoritarian stance has alienated many citizens. Critics point to controversial Russian-style laws targeting media, foreign-funded organizations, and the LGBTQ+ community.
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Adding to the controversy, the government has resisted Western sanctions on Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, contradicting Georgia’s constitutional aim of joining the EU and NATO.
In November, Georgian Dream announced that EU accession talks would be postponed until 2028, sparking outrage among pro-European citizens. Days of protests followed, with riot police deploying tear gas and water cannons against demonstrators.
The political crisis has drawn international attention, with the United States imposing sanctions this week on Bidzina Ivanishvili, Georgia’s former prime minister and the billionaire founder of Georgian Dream.
As Sunday’s inauguration looms, Zourabichvili has vowed not to vacate her position. The government has warned that her refusal to step down could constitute a crime, setting the stage for an unprecedented political crisis.
