New Georgian president keen on consolidation, unification of society

New Georgian President Mikhail Kavelashvili has pledged to direct his efforts towards consolidation and unification of society.

During his inauguration ceremony on December 29, Kavelashvili emphasized that every citizen of Georgia is dear to him, regardless of his views and political convictions, Caliber.Az reports via Georgian media.

“I am going to be a president for everyone, despite who likes me and who doesn't. My future efforts will be aimed at consolidating and uniting the society,” explained the new president of Georgia.

He emphasized that Georgian society should unite “around the homeland, values and rules based on mutual respect.”

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Mikhail Kavelashvili has officially assumed office as the President of Georgia, following a solemn inauguration ceremony held in the plenary session hall of the Georgian Parliament.

The event, broadcast live on the Georgian Parliament's website, saw Kavelashvili taking the presidential oath on the Bible and the Constitution of Georgia, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

The ceremony was attended by members of his family, parliamentarians, representatives of the Georgian Orthodox Church and other religious denominations, senior government officials, heads of the Constitutional and Supreme Courts, and military personnel.

Among the notable attendees were Tornike Rizhvadze, Head of the Government of Adjara, and the electors who participated in Kavelashvili's election.

To recall, Kavelashvili's presidency follows Georgia's first indirect presidential election, which took place on December 14. The candidate of the ruling Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia party, Kavelashvili ran unopposed and secured an overwhelming 224 votes out of 300. He becomes the sixth president of Georgia, succeeding Salome Zourabichvili.

By Khagan Isayev