His predecessor says he is not legitimate leader
AMN / WEB DESK
A hardline critic of the West, Mikheil Kavelashvili was sworn in as president of Georgia on Sunday amid a political crisis after the government froze European Union application talks in a move that sparked major protests.
Outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili, a pro-EU opponent of the ruling party, said in a defiant speech to supporters outside the presidential palace that she was leaving the residence, but that Kavelashvili had no legitimacy as president, which is a mostly ceremonial position.
She said: “I will come out of here and be with you”.
“I am taking legitimacy with me, I am taking the flag with me, I am taking your trust with me,” she added, before walking out of the palace to mingle with her supporters.