Georgia's new president signs controversial laws on inauguration day
Kyiv • UNN
Mikheil Kavelashvili was sworn in as the new president of Georgia and signed a number of controversial laws. The previous president, Salome Zurabishvili, and the opposition do not recognize the legitimacy of his election and the laws he signed.
On the day of his inauguration, Mikheil Kavelashvili signed laws that are not recognized by the fifth President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili and opposition parties, reports UNN with reference to Radiotavisupleba.
Details
On Sunday, Georgia's new president, Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former football player, was inaugurated, a move believed to have strengthened the pro-Russian stance of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
On the day of his inauguration, Mikheil Kavelashvili signed the laws that had been previously passed by the parliament. The legitimacy of these laws is not recognized by the fifth President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, and opposition parties.
Context
On December 29, 2024, the Legislative Bulletin of Georgia published a number of laws that were adopted by the parliament on December 13, which human rights activists call “repressive,” “restrictive,” “punitive,” and “undemocratic”
Among the laws signed by Mikheil Kavelashvili are:
Amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses - provides for a ban on covering faces and pyrotechnics at rallies and restrictions on other norms;
Amendments to the Criminal Code regarding the storage and use of pyrotechnic products; Also, amendments to the law on product safety - which also applies to pyrotechnics;
Amendment to the law on assemblies and demonstrations - on covering the face and shooting pyrotechnics;
The Law on Police - an amendment makes it easier for certain categories of employees to start working in the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
Amendments to the law on state protection, according to which Salome Zurabishvili will no longer have state protection;
Amendments to the Electoral Code, which increase the share of the majority element in municipalities;
Amendments to the law on civil service - these changes, according to human rights activists, make it easier to dismiss employees for political reasons.
Recall
Salome Zurabishvili has announced her voluntary withdrawal from the Orbeliani presidential palace in Tbilisi. She called the upcoming inauguration of the new president, Mikheil Kavelashvili, a “travesty” and declared her unwavering commitment to the country.
UNN reported that Mikheil Kavelashvili was to be sworn in on December 29 in parliament, the ceremony was expected to last 40 minutes with a limited number of guests.
Salome Zurabishvili, during a conversation with the President of the European Council, stated that only new elections can resolve the crisis in Georgia. She also does not recognize the legitimacy of the election of the new president, Mikheil Kavelashvili.
The inauguration of Mikheil Kavelashvili as President of Georgia took place in Tbilisi, accompanied by protests.
