New President of Georgia takes oath before God
Mikheil Kavelashvili. Photo: EDaily
The inauguration of Georgia's sixth president, Mikheil Kavelashvili, took place on December 29, reports Echo of the Caucasus. The ceremony was held against the backdrop of state flags bearing crosses. As the national anthem played, the Constitution and the Bible were brought forward. Kavelashvili took an oath not only to the people but also to God.
"I, the President of Georgia, before God and the people, swear to uphold the Constitution of Georgia, the independence, integrity, and indivisibility of the country; to conscientiously fulfill the duties of the President; to care for the safety and well-being of my country’s citizens; and to work for the revival and greatness of my people and homeland," he declared.
In his inaugural speech, Mikheil Kavelashvili emphasized the importance of Christian faith in the country’s history:
"Christian faith played a special role in the final formation and unification of our nation. Over time, Orthodoxy and Georgian identity became inseparable, forming a single concept," he said.
The new president was elected by an Electoral College rather than through public elections. He is not recognized by outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili, the opposition, or a significant portion of the country’s international partners.
As SPZh previously reported, on December 3, 2024, Epifaniy Dumenko, leader of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), made a statement effectively supporting the protests in Georgia organized by opposition forces.
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