Micheil Kawelaschwili has been sworn in as the new President of Georgia, despite protests from supporters of the outgoing President Salome Surabischwili, who disputes the legitimacy of the election results. Kawelaschwili, representing the increasingly authoritarian ‘Georgian Dream’ party, takes office amid claims of election fraud and fears of a shift towards closer ties with Russia, moving away from the European Union. Demonstrations with over 2,000 participants occurred outside the presidential palace as calls for new elections intensified.