Former soccer player Mikheil Kavelashvili has been inaugurated as president of Georgia in what the opposition calls a blow to the country’s EU aspirations and a victory for former imperial ruler Russia.

Even though a figurehead, Mikheil Kavelashvili occupies a symbolic role as the country moves further from the West and toward Russia and China.

Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former Manchester City football player, was sworn in as Georgia’s new president today. It comes after a controversial election process denounced as ‘illegitimate’ by the outgoing president,

A political storm in Tbilisi. On Sunday, Mikheil Kavelashvili was sworn in as president. This occurred amidst protests. The opposition is demonstrating, and people have gathered in the streets. Mikheil Kavelashvili assumed office as the president of Georgia during a ceremony attended by members of the ruling party,

I am leaving this place and taking legitimacy with me,” Zourabichvili declared outside the Orbeliani Palace. She called the Georgian Dream party a “Russian tragedy.” Zourabichvili wore the same white-and-red suit she had on six years ago during her own inauguration.