Red card protest in Georgia as ex-footballer Kavelashvili is sworn in as new president.

Mikheil Kavelashvili, a hardline critic of the West, was sworn in as president of Georgia yesterday.

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Mr Kavelashvili assumes power during 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.”

Ms Zourabichvili says that Mr Kavelashvili was not duly picked, as the lawmakers who chose him were elected in an October parliamentary election that she says was marked by fraud. Georgia‘s opposition parties support her.

The Georgian Dream ruling party and the country’s election commission said that the October election was free and fair. The ruling party said Mr Kavelashvili is the duly elected president.