Kavelashvili is inaugurated as Georgia's president, complicating its path toward EU

TBILISI, Goergia (AP) — Former soccer player Mikheil Kavelashvili was formally inaugurated as president of Georgia on Sunday, cementing the ruling party's grip in what the opposition calls a blow to the country’s EU aspirations and a victory for former imperial ruler Russia.

Outgoing pro-Western Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said Sunday morning that she was vacating her residence at the Orbeliani Palace in Tbilisi. She joined the crowd of her supporters that gathered outside the residence, but insisted that she was still the legitimate office holder.